The bill H.539, introduced by Representative Stone of Burlington, seeks to adopt the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in Vermont, which aims to enhance public access to cosmetology services while ensuring safety and reducing unnecessary licensure burdens. The legislation amends existing laws to include barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians in the list of professions eligible for criminal background checks for licensure. It also establishes requirements for shops to designate an in-state licensee responsible for cleanliness and safety. A new subchapter is introduced to outline the objectives of the Compact, including the establishment of a multistate licensing program and the definition of key terms such as "multistate license" and "member state."

Additionally, the bill details the framework for reissuing multistate licenses when practitioners change their home state, stipulating that they can only hold a multistate license in one member state at a time. It emphasizes the responsibilities of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission and member state licensing authorities, ensuring that states retain the power to enforce their own laws while cooperating with the Commission. The bill also introduces provisions for transparency in the rulemaking process, requiring public hearings and advance notice for proposed rules, and outlines enforcement mechanisms for addressing defaults by member states. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-123, 26-282, 26-284