This bill proposes two significant changes regarding the qualifications for cosmetologists and the composition of the board overseeing barbering, cosmetology, and esthetics. Firstly, it reduces the required training hours for obtaining a cosmetologist's license from 1,500 hours to 1,200 hours, as indicated by the deletion of 1,500 and the insertion of 1,200 in RSA 313-A:11, I(c)(1). This change aims to streamline the licensing process and potentially increase the number of licensed cosmetologists in the state. Secondly, the bill expands the board of barbering, cosmetology, and esthetics from seven to eight members. The current composition, which includes various licensed professionals and a public member, will now also include a representative from a regional career technical center, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education. This addition is reflected in the deletion of 7 and the insertion of 8 in RSA 313-A:2, I, along with the new provisions for the appointment of the additional member. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is expected to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each fiscal year from 2025 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 313-A:11, 313-A:2