House Bill No. 326, introduced by Representative Butler, amends the Louisiana Cosmetology Act to update the qualifications and membership requirements for the state board of cosmetology. The bill stipulates that the board will consist of eight members appointed by the governor, with specific qualifications including at least one member primarily engaged in cosmetology, one licensed esthetician, and one licensed manicurist. Additionally, the qualifications for board members have been revised to include registered cosmetologists, estheticians, or manicurists with at least five years of experience, owners of certified beauty shops or salons, owners of accredited cosmetology schools, and teachers or instructors of cosmetology. The bill also emphasizes the need for diverse educational representation among board members and outlines conflict of interest provisions.

Furthermore, the bill revises the fee structure associated with cosmetology certifications and permits. It establishes a base fee of $50 for initial certificates of registration and annual renewals for cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers/instructors, and managers. The fee for beauty shops, mobile salons, and home care is set at $55, while the initial inspection fee for salons and booth rentals is increased from $25 to $50. The bill also raises the initial registration fee for schools to $340 and the renewal fee to $190, with a late renewal fee increased to $175. The changes are set to take effect upon the governor's signature or after the lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB326 Original: 37:571(B), 37:572(B), 37:599(A)(2)
HB326 Engrossed: 37:571(B), 37:572(B), 37:599(A)(2)