Rhode Island’s House of Representatives voted 69-0 last week to pass a hair braiding deregulation bill. As previously reported, H7565 defines natural hair braiding as “a service of twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair by hand or with mechanical devices.”
The measure would allow “minor trimming of natural hair or synthetic hair extensions” by hair braiders and includes both scissors and curling irons in the definition of a mechanical device.
A similar hair braiding deregulation bill was unanimously passed by New Jersey’s Assembly on June 7th. A3754 would exempt persons who engage in the practice of hair braiding for the general public from licensure but provide for registration and regulation of owners of hair braiding establishments.
Click here to read the full State Relations Update from Brian Newman.