Updates from California, Texas and Michigan
California Sunset Review Likely to Address Training Requirements
Fred Jones, Legislative Counsel to the Professional Beauty Federation of California (PBFC), apprised schools and other stakeholders last week of another threat brewing in Sacramento. He indicated that “the new Senate Business & Professions Committee Chairman has revealed a clear bias against for-profit beauty colleges in the first two of a series of Sunset hearings on our State Board. The third, still yet-to-be scheduled December hearing of the Joint Sunset Committee will focus almost entirely on the testimony of disgruntled students and what the new Chairman considers exorbitant schooling requirements (and costs).”
To this end, PBFC is encouraging school owners, instructors, licenses, salon owners and students to testify before the Joint Sunset Committee in December. AACS will share additional information when the December hearing is officially scheduled. In the meantime, please contact Fred Jones (email: fred.jones@beautyfederation.org or phone: 530-887-9944) if you have any questions and/or willing to assist in defending schools, students and licensed professionals.
1,000 Hour Curriculums Discussed at Texas Cosmetology Program Summit
Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation conducted both barbering and cosmetology program summits on Monday. At the cosmetology summit, four proposed 1,000 hour curriculums were discussed. Curriculums A and C were the most popular among attendees and those utilizing TDLR’s online poll as they were the least prescriptive.
Schools and other interested parties can submit their thoughts on the proposed curriculums by Friday, October 25th to cossummit@tdlr.texas.gov. Detailed responses (with a supporting tables or spreadsheets showing your proposed modifications) are encouraged.
TDLR indicated that September 1, 2020 will be the first day that individuals can receive a 1,000-hour cosmetology license. The process to finalize the rule will include: discussion by the Advisory Council on Cosmetology; the drafting of a proposed rule containing the new curriculum; a 30-day public comment period by which schools and other stakeholders can react to the proposed rule/curriculum, and; additional Advisory Council Discussions that led to TDLR Commissioners adopting a final rule.
Links to the summit webcasts can be found below.
Cosmetology Program Summit
Barbering Program Summit
Michigan Bill Would Allow Barbering and Cosmetology Schools to Share Facilities
Michigan’s House Ways and Means Committee reported a substitute bill last week that would allow a barber college and a school of cosmetology to occupy the same building and share facilities. As currently drafted, HB 4335 would allow licensed barbers to apply 1,000 hours of their training towards a 1,500-hour cosmetology license and similarly allow licensed cosmetologists to apply 1,000 hours of their training towards a barbering license.
HB 4335 is currently awaiting consideration on the House floor.
Additional information can be found at this link.
Please do not hesitate to contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at 202-491-5254 with comments or questions.