COSMETOLOGY COMPLIANCE S.B. 702 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 702 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Occupational Code to increase the number of hours of training required to receive an occupational license for cosmetology instructors, manicurists, and estheticians.
Currently, the Code requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to issue a license as a cosmetology instructor, a manicurist, or an esthetician to an individual who meets certain requirements, including completion of a certain number of hours of training.
The bill would increase the number of hours of training required for each profession. An individual who began cosmetology instructor training on or after July 1, 2024, would have to complete at least 600 hours of training. An individual who began training as a manicurist on or after July 1, 2024, would have to complete at least 600 hours of training. An individual who began training as an esthetician on or after July 1, 2024, would have to complete at least 750 hours of training.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The U.S. Department of Education adopted rules that, beginning July 2024, will require that cosmetology students be eligible for Federal financial aid only up to and for the number of hours of training that the State requires for licensure. According to testimony, while statute currently requires only 400 hours of training for a manicurist to receive a license, some large educational institutions in the State require 600 hours of training to complete their programs. Under the new rules, students could not receive Federal financial aid for training after the first 400 hours required by statute. Some have argued that the State should increase the number of hours required for licensure to the number of hours required by some educational programs in the State to ensure that cosmetology students do not lose Federal financial aid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-14-24 Analyst: Nathan Leaman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.