New Key State Legislative and Regulatory Developments
As we approach the end of August, there are nine state legislatures actively meeting this week. A short summary of state legislative and regulatory developments of interest to AACS members follows below.
In Alabama, state authorization legislation failed to pass the House of Representatives during the special session by a vote of 19 to 58. HB 6 was co-sponsored by Democratic Representatives Thomas Jackson and Elaine Beech, and was favorably reported by the House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee containing legislative language similar to a regular session bill – SB 209 – that was unanimously approved by the Senate on April 9th.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is expected to convene a second special session to address the state’s general fund budget after Labor Day. During this time, legislators may address other issues – including state authorization – with a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber. AACS will continue to work with members in Alabama to assess why the bill was not passed and to implement advocacy leading to the passage of state authorization legislation.
On the regulatory front, an "initial agency draft" of Nevada State Board of Cosmetology regulatory modifications was posted on August 13th. The proposed regulations slightly modifies the continuing education requirements for instructions and implements various statutory requirements, including at least four hours of instruction related to infection control and prevention for licensure renewal.
The regulatory draft also outlines the transition from 1,800 hours to 1,600 hours of required training for cosmetology licensure. Accordingly, "a cosmetologist student enrolled in a licensed cosmetology school in the State of Nevada will receive a reduction of hours from 1,800 hours to 1,600 hours, if the student elects to, with the school he initially enrolled in if the student initially commenced instruction between August 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 inclusive. A cosmetologist student enrolled in a licensed cosmetology school in the State of Nevada is required to complete 1,600 hours of training if the student initially commenced instruction on or after October 1, 2015."
Cosmetology schools in Nevada will want to pay particular attention to the minimum space, equipment and curriculum requirements beginning on page 33 of the PDF file. Additionally, the draft provides for mandatory breaks for students and "a maximum of 7 hours of service on the public per day."
Please click on the link below to view the full regulatory draft.