This bill proposes amendments to the existing laws regulating barbers, cosmetologists, and estheticians. It introduces a new definition for "blow-dry styling," which is limited to the use of mechanical devices and topical agents for styling hair, excluding hair cutting and chemical treatments. The definition of "cosmetology" is revised to remove certain services such as arranging, dressing, and cleansing hair, while adding "chemically altering" hair and specifying that superfluous hair removal does not include threading. Additionally, the bill defines "makeup application" and "threading" as distinct practices, with the former excluding permanent makeup and tattooing, and the latter being a method of hair removal using cotton thread.

The bill also outlines new responsibilities for owners of salons, barbershops, and mobile barbershops, including verifying the qualifications of their staff and ensuring the health and safety of customers and workers. It exempts certain individuals from the provisions of the chapter, such as those engaged in blow-dry styling, makeup application, and threading, as well as those demonstrating or selling beauty equipment, and those involved in media productions. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, and the Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that the fiscal impact of the legislation will be less than $10,000 annually from 2024 to 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 313-A:1, 313-A:9, 313-A:19, 313-A:25
As Amended by the House: 313-A:1, 313-A:25