SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 434
As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole

Brief*
SB 434 would exempt the practice of hair removal by
sugaring from the definition of cosmetology. The bill would
also define sugaring and require the addition of infection
control techniques for sugaring to an existing Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) brochure,
and require an individual engaged in sugaring to complete
and keep the self-test portion of the infection control brochure
at the location where the individual is sugaring.

Definition
The bill would define “sugaring” as a method of
temporary hair removal from the body by use of a paste made
from sugar, lemon, and water, or its equivalent, to pull hair
from follicles. “Sugaring” may also include the use of over-
the-counter sugaring pastes or astringents, gels, powders,
instruments used to spread or remove sugaring pastes,
tweezers, or scissors incidental to sugaring, but does not
include the use of chemicals, electric needles, or any type of
wax.

Infection Control Brochure
The bill would require the Secretary of Health and
Environment to add infection control techniques applicable to
sugaring to an existing brochure addressing infection control
techniques for hair braiding and threading outside a salon
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
setting. Under continuing law, the brochure includes a self-
test with questions on the information contained in the
brochure.

Exempt from Practice of Cosmetology
For an individual engaged in sugaring to be exempt from
the practice of cosmetology, the bill would require the
individual to complete the self-test part of the infection control
brochure and keep the brochure and completed self-test
available at the location where the individual is sugaring.

Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Public Health and Welfare at the request of Senator Erickson.

Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a representative of the Kansas Justice
Institute, which has filed a case in court challenging the
constitutionality of the Kansas sugaring license requirement
on behalf of a private citizen. The representative stated the
bill would eliminate the unnecessary requirement of obtaining
a cosmetology license in order to practice sugaring. The
representative noted that sugaring makes up less than one
percent of current cosmetology curriculum, and sugaring is
not tested during the examination process.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a
representative of Americans for Prosperity Kansas.
No other testimony was provided.


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Senate Committee of the Whole
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended the bill to
include “sugaring” to the list of practices occurring at locations
where an infection control brochure and self-test must be
kept.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Board of
Cosmetology (Board) indicates the bill would not have a fiscal
effect because the agency knows of only one individual that
has approached the Board to practice sugaring. KDHE
indicates it would use existing epidemiology staff to fully
understand different methods of sugaring, to evaluate the
opportunities for infectious diseases to be transmitted during
the sugaring services, and to research and recommend
appropriate infection control measures in consultation with
staff from the Board. In addition, costs associated with
updating its brochure on infection control techniques would
be handled within the KDHE’s existing resources.
Any fiscal effect associated with the bill is not reflected
in The FY 2025 Governor’s Budget Report.
Cosmetology; hair removal; sugaring; Board of Cosmetology; Kansas Department of
Health and Environment; cosmetology practice exemption


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-1901, 65-1928
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}: 65-1901, 65-1928
Enrolled: 65-1901, 65-1928