BILL NUMBER: S7007
SPONSOR: BYNOE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to establishing a
mental health first aid training program for licensed cosmetologists and
barbers
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create a mental health first aid training program as a requirement
for any cosmetologist, nail specialists, waxing specialists, natural
hair stylists, estheticians or barbers licenses. The mental health first
aid training program would be required for any new applicants, or those
seeking recertification.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides the legislative intent of this bill.
Section 2 adds a new section 408-c to Article 27 of the General Busi-
ness Law which establishes a requirement for Nail Specialty, Natural
Hair Styling, Esthetics and Cosmetology licensees and applicants to
complete an eight hour mental health first aid training program focusing
on recognizing the symptoms of common mental health illnesses and
substance abuse, crisis de-escalation, and how to initiate timely refer-
rals to mental health and substance abuse resources in the community.
Rules and procedures relating to this program would be promulgated and
administered by the Secretary of State. The certificate for the mental
health first aid training program would be valid for the duration of a
license.
Section 3 adds a new section 436-a to Article 28 of the General Busi-
ness Law which establishes a requirement for any Barber licensees and
applicants to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training
program focusing on recognizing the symptoms of common mental health
illnesses and substance abuse, crisis de-escalation, and how to initiate
timely referrals to mental health and substance abuse resources in the
community. Rules and procedures relating to this program would be
promulgated and administered by the Secretary of State. The certificate
for the mental health first aid training program would be valid for the
duration of a license.
Section 4 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The goal of this legislation is to promote the general health, safety,
and welfare of the residents of the state by requiring cosmetologists
and barbers who provide services directly to the public to undergo
training in the provision of mental health first aid. Beauty profes-
sionals interact with the public daily, build relationships with their
clients, and have a strong connection to the community they live and
work in.
This legislation would direct the Department of State to require a
certified a 8-hour mental health first aid training program for new
license applicants and licensees seeking recertification. Mental health
first aid training is customarily an eight-hour course of instruction
which educates participants in the methods of effectively recognizing,
identifying, understanding and responding to signs and behavioral
manifestations of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. This
legislature recognizes that mental health illnesses and substance abuse
disorders often go undetected, and as such, beauty professionals who
have frequent contact with the community that they live in should
receive mental health first aid training to potentially avert tragedies
attributable to suicidal, harmful or aggressive behaviors related to
mental illness, reduce the stigma of mental health issues, and de-esca-
late and refer individuals who are suffering from a mental illness to
receive the medical and emotional care and support they need.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 90 days after it is enacted into law.