Federal Updates

The AACS Government Relations Committee and its federal advocacy team at Duane Morris LLP represents the interests of AACS members in Congress. The GRC, through the Duane Morris team, provides a bi-weekly Washington Update to AACS membership that provides the most relevant information about what is happening in Congress and at the Department that may impact your school. We encourage all AACS members to read the Washington Update to keep up to date on developments and calls to action. We urge each and every AACS member school to set up a call with the Senators and House members who represent your school locations, and consider hosting a fundraiser. We will make it easy for you. Just call our lead advocate, Katherine Brodie at Duane Morris LLP in Washington, D.C. to learn how you can get more involved and help make a difference to your school, employees and students. Katherine can be reached at: kdbrodie@duanemorris.com or (202) 776-5241.

State Update

Idaho Passes Bill COVID-19 Liability Immunity Bill 

Last month, Idaho’s legislature passed a COVID-19 liability immunity bill in an Extraordinary Session.  The vote was 54 to 15 in the House and 27 to 7 in the Senate.  As signed by Governor Brad Little on August 27th, H0006 provides that a person is immune from civil liability for damages or an injury resulting from exposure of an individual to coronavirus. “Immunity as described in this section shall not apply to acts or omissions that constitute an intentional tort or willful or reckless misconduct as defined in section 6-1601, Idaho Code.”  The bill’s definition of a “person” includes “an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, association, church or religious organization, city, county, school district, college, university or other institution of higher education, or other unit of local government.”

 

Ohio State Board Proposes Expanded Distance Learning 

The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board will be conducting a rulemaking hearing on Monday, September 28, 2020 to discuss amendments that will expand distance learning in the Buckeye State.  Most significantly, proposed amendments to Ohio Administrative Code 4713-5-02 would increase the number of required program hours that can be earned through “distance learning” from six percent to 20 percent.  They would also remove the current language limiting distance learning to theory hours.     

Other proposed revisions of interest to schools include:

• Replacing the definition of “web-based education” with the broader term “distance learning."
• A minor edit to eliminate the requirement that schools store clean towels in a closed, dustproof container. The revision will hold schools to the same standards as salons, barbershops, and other licensed facilities.
• An amendment to clarify the longstanding practice of counting assistant barber teachers towards the required student-teacher ratio.
• An amendment requiring all schools to post their school license. While this has long been the practice of all Board licensed schools, the barber school requirement was inadvertently missed when the cosmetology and barbering rule sets were merged. 

Colorado Rulemaking Addresses Licensure for Military Spouses 

Colorado’s Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure has proposed rule revisions to reflect the enactment of Colorado HB 1326, which modified the existing occupational credential exemption for military spouses.  To this end, the proposed amendments would allow a military spouse who holds an active license in another state to practice for up to three years without a Colorado license.  Under current regulations, military spouses must obtain a Colorado license after their first year of residency.  A rulemaking webinar will be held on October 1, 2020.  Click here (page 397) for additional information and the webinar link.   

Please do not hesitate to contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at 202-491-5254 with comments or questions.

 

COVID-19 Resources 

AACS Guide to Reopening
This page contains a running list of state reopening guidance for salons and other personal care businesses. 

AACS Coronavirus Resource Center  
The bottom of this page contains a running list of state distance learning guidance.  It was compiled with assistance from the AACS State Relations Committee and/or a review of state board websites. Accordingly, developments may be occurring faster than our ability to capture/report on them. Please contact your state regulator(s) for the most current information. 

State and Local Government Responses to Covid-19
Stateside Associates, a state and local government relations firm, has created a chart with state legislative actions, executive agency actions, gubernatorial actions, and local government actions related to the outbreak of the coronavirus.  Executive actions closing retail and “non-essential” businesses will be of interest.   

PBA/Stateside Associates Report: Reopening of State and Local Economies
Updated August 14, 2020

National Governors Association Coronavirus Updates

COVID-19 State Legislation – National Conference of State Legislatures