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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
Michigan House Committee Considers 1,800 Hour Barbering Apprenticeships
A barbering apprenticeship bill was referred to the Michigan House Ways and Means Committee last week with a proposed substitute. As originally introduced, SB 691 would establish 2,000-hour apprenticeships for barbering. The version passed by the Senate however did not specify required apprenticeship hours but instead enumerated several requirements that must be met by the barbershop owner. The substitute before the House Ways and Means proposes establishing an 1,800-hour barbering apprenticeship, which is the same as the course of study at a barber college/school.
The Ways and Means substitute leaves in place Senate passed languages specifying that “the owner of a barbershop that conducts an apprenticeship program shall not charge a fee for the teaching of barber services to apprentices on the premises. The owner of a barbershop where 1 apprentice has been successfully trained may allow the training of additional apprentices at the establishment, except that not more than 2 apprentices may be trained at the same time.”
Washington State Adopts Emergency Distance Education Rule
Washington State’s Department of Licensing recently promulgated Emergency Rules that allow cosmetology schools to temporarily offer up to 75 percent of a program online “to provide schools more flexibility to safely accommodate students and staff during COVID-19.”
Earlier this Fall, the Department of Licensing permanently amended Chapter 308-20 Cosmetology, Barber, Manicurist, and Esthetician rules pertaining to distance learning. These rules, which became effective November 8th, allow cosmetology schools to offer 50% of their education online, as well as decide which content is better for online and which content is better for in-person. Prior to the amendment, Washington State regulations allowed 25% percent of the course of study – limited to theory – to be taught online.
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
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 December 4, 2020
National Governors Association Coronavirus Updates
COVID-19 State Legislation – National Conference of State Legislatures
