The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has issued an action alert to oppose deregulation in both Illinois and Michigan, as well as to oppose severe reduction of cosmetology licensing hours in Rhode Island.
PBA views this legislation as a detriment to consumer safety, and encourages action opposing these bills in each of these states.
In Illinois, House Bill 5558 introduced by Representative Allen Skillicorn, will allow any individual to practice cosmetology, aesthetics, nail technology and barbering without a license.
Representative Steven Johnson has introduced Michigan House Bill 5438, which, if passed, will completely deregulate barbering. Johnson has shared, “This license is an unnecessary regulation and does nothing to protect public safety.”
State representative Evan Stanley has introduced House Bill 7484 which drastically reduces cosmetology educational requirements. Under this bill, cosmetology education hours will be reduced from 1,500 to 600, manicurist hours from 300 to 200, aesthetics hours from 600 to 300, and barbering from 1,500 to 600 hours.
Government Affairs Director Myra Reddy explains why this legislation is a detriment to the industry: “Deregulation of occupational licensing for the professional beauty industry places both the consumer and those providing services at a real health risk. A reduction of hours prohibits license probability and damages the longevity of a legitimate career path. Occupational licensing of beauty professionals is not a barrier to work, instead the requirement of an education allows for lifelong stable career that cannot be outsourced and supports our US economy.”
If you are an Illinois resident, you can take action here.
For Michigan, click here, and for Rhode Island residents, click here.