Requires the secretary of state to promulgate rules and regulations requiring that education and testing for cosmetologists or natural hair stylists include education and testing regarding the provision of services to individuals with all hair types and textures, including, but not limited to, various curl or wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6927A
SPONSOR: Solages TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the substance
of training and testing requirements for cosmetologists or natural hair
stylists
PURPOSE:
To.require cosmetologists and natural hair stylists to, pursuant to
regulations promulgated by the secretary of state, complete training, as
well as include questions on license examinations; regarding the
provision of services to individuals with all hair types - including,
but not limited to, various curl patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and
volumes of hair - as a condition of licensure.
SUMMARY:
Section I. Amends section 403 of the general business law.
Section 2. Amends subdivision 2 of section 407 of the general business
law.
Section 3. Sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Nearly 65% of the world's population have textured hair, resulting in a
market of 1 billion people, yet many people with textured hair report
not having equitable access to professionally trained, licensed stylists
with the skill set and experience to provide services on their hair
type. In the appearance enhancement industry, current standards for
training and qualifications tend to only apply to individuals with fine,
straight hair. As such, students attending schools of cosmetology or
natural hair styling may complete training programs without a full
understanding of how to maintain, treat and style a diverse range of
hair textures - including curly, coiled, coarse and thick hair. This
institutionalized gap in knowledge can result in damage to the hair of
clients from varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as such
individuals being unable to obtain appropriate services from licensees.
This bill will establish a process to empower cosmetologists with the
confidence to consult and work with clients who have textured hair
including those who have types 3A-4c, while maintaining the health and
safety standard they learn in their cosmetology programs; and to pave
the way for consumers of all ethnic backgrounds to feel welcomed,
valued, understood, and seen when getting serviced by hairstylists while
maintaining health and safety.
RACIAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
Historically, people of color have faced discrimination and mistreatment
in the beauty industry, particularly when it comes to hair care. Many
salons and stylists have not been properly trained in working with
textured hair, which can lead to inappropriate practices, damage to the
hair and scalp, and even refusal of service.
By mandating that cosmetologists receive training in textured hair care,
it ensures that all clients, regardless of their hair texture, receive
quality and inclusive services. This cari help address current dispari-
ties by promoting equity and access to services for people of color. It
can also lead to increased representation of people of color in the
beauty industry, as more individuals with expertise in textured hair
care may be hired and given opportunities for advancement.
GENDER JUSTICE IMPACT:
Requiring cosmetologists to be educated in textured hair care would
benefit women greatly. It would ensure that women with textured hair
have access to knowledgeable and skilled cosmetologists who understand
how to properly care for their hair type. This allows women to embrace
their natural hair and feel empowered.
Additionally, requiring cosmetologists to be trained in textured hair
care would help to reduce current disparities that exist within the
beauty industry. Currently, many women with textured hair struggle to
find cosmetologists who are skilled in working with their hair type.
This can result in limited options for styling and maintenance, as well
as increased costs associated with seeking out specialized services.
By requiring all cosmetologists to be trained in textured hair care, it
would become more commonplace for textured hair to be seen as a valuable
and important part of the beauty industry. This could lead to greater
representation of women with textured hair in the media and in beauty
industry leadership roles.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6927--A
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 9, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, JEAN-PIERRE -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Economic Development -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the substance
of training and testing requirements for cosmetologists or natural
hair stylists
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 404 of the general business law, as amended by
2 chapter 80 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 404. Rules and regulations. The secretary shall promulgate rules and
4 regulations which establish standards for practice and operation by
5 licensees and trainees under this article in order to ensure the health,
6 safety and welfare of the public including licensees and trainees when
7 they are working within such establishments. Such rules and regulations
8 shall include, but not be limited to, the sanitary conditions and proce-
9 dures required to be maintained, a minimum standard of training appro-
10 priate to the duties of nail specialists, trainees, waxers, natural hair
11 stylists, estheticians, and cosmetologists and the provision of service
12 by nail specialists, trainees, waxers, natural hair stylists, estheti-
13 cians or cosmetologists at remote locations other than the licensee's
14 home provided that such practitioner holds an appearance enhancement
15 business license to operate at a fixed location or is employed by the
16 holder of an appearance enhancement business license. Regulations
17 setting forth the educational requirements for nail specialists and
18 trainees shall include education in the area of causes of infection and
19 bacteriology. Regulations setting forth the educational requirements for
20 cosmetologists or natural hair stylists shall include education regard-
21 ing the provision of services to individuals with all hair types and
22 textures, including, but not limited to, various curl or wave patterns,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11008-02-3
A. 6927--A 2
1 hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair. In promulgating such rules
2 and regulations the secretary shall consult with the state education
3 department, the advisory committee established pursuant to this article,
4 any other state agencies and private industry representatives as may be
5 appropriate in determining minimum training requirements.
6 § 2. Subdivision 2 of section 407 of the general business law, as
7 added by chapter 509 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
8 2. The secretary shall prepare examination questions for persons to
9 qualify for licensure under this article. Such examination questions
10 shall include, where applicable, questions relating to providing
11 services to individuals with varying hair types and textures. All such
12 examinations shall be the same for all persons for the license sought at
13 any given examination. Such test shall not be limited to any specific
14 method or system.
15 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
16 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
17 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
18 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
19 completed on or before such effective date.
