Below are state bills introduced in the 2023 session that required action from Professional Beauty Association and our members.
Arizona House Bill 2525 (enacted)
Sponsored by State Representative Laurin Hendrix as originally written would have established an Inspection Program and Registry to allow participating, licensed shops or salons to employ unlicensed individuals. This bill was amended. The final enacted version expands the apprenticeship option for individuals seeking a career as an esthetician, nail technician, or hairstylist.
Arizona House Bill 2550 (enacted)
Sponsored by State Representative Justin Wilmeth establishes an eyelash technician license. Effective June 21, 2023 eyelash technicians are excluded from the definition of aesthetician, and from the definition of cosmetology. Eyelash technicians must be registered by the Board and submit evidence of successfully completed training, no more than 30 hours of training is required. Any person who satisfactorily demonstrates training received prior to the effective date of this measure is eligible for registration.
Georgia House Bill 212 (tabled, eligible to be carried over to 2024 session)
Sponsored by State Representative David Jentkins authorizes individuals and facilities to provide blow-dry styling, braiding, threading, and the application of cosmetics without being licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers. It will allow a facility in which an individual performs only blow-dry styling, braiding, threading, the application of cosmetics or a combination thereof to be exempt from all of the facility licensing requirements.
Nebraska Legislative Bill 189 (hearing held in committee of referral, no action taken)
Sponsored by State Senator Kathleen Kauth provides that the Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art Practice Act does not restrict any person engaging in natural hairstyling or other services requiring a license under the Uniform Credentialing Act. Natural hairstyling means to shampoo, condition, dry, arrange, curl, or straighten hair using only mechanical devices such as blow dryers, combs, brushes, curlers, curling irons, blunt-tipped needles, thread, and hair binders. It also includes the use of hair sprays and topical agents, such as balms, oils, and serums, and the styling of hair extensions and wigs.
New Hampshire House Bill 644 (waiting for further consideration in committee of referral)
Introduced by State Representative Diane Pauer applies exemptions to licensing requirements for individuals who are engaged in blow dry styling, persons who demonstrate the use of a cosmetic or beauty equipment for the purpose of offering for sale to the public such cosmetic or beauty equipment, persons engaged in blow-dry styling or makeup application for theatrical, television, film, fashion, photography, or media productions or media appearances, persons engaged in makeup application, and persons engaged in threading.
West Virginia House Bill 2523 (failed)
Sponsored by State Representative Geoff Foster prohibits the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists from regulating the use of hair, nail, skin, and other beauty products that are commonly available for retail sale at groceries, drug stores, and other stores offering a broad variety of consumer products.
