State Update – April 15

April 15, 2026

HEADLINES

• Three States Enact Esthetics Licensure Compact Bills
• Reason TV Lambasts Louisiana Hair Braiding Bill
• Legislative Updates from Alabama, Hawaii, Minesota, and Oklahoma 

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The week of AACS Hill Day finds 30 state legislatures in session – including Iowa (4/21), Kentucky (4/15). Maryland (4/13) and Nebraska (4/17), which will be adjourning their respective 2026 legislative sessions this or next week. Additionally, Virginia’s legislature will reconvene in Richmond on April 23rd to finalize a biennial budget. The Commonwealth’s regular legislative session adjourned in March before legislators could come to an agreement over whether to continue sales and use tax exemptions for data centers.  

ESTHETICS COMPACT BILLS SIGNED IN THREE STATES

Esthetics Licensure Compact bills were signed into law in three states last week – Alabama, Kansas, and Virginia. In the final days of Kansas’ legislative session, an Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact bill (HB 2533) was amended to add the Esthetics Licensure Compact, as well as Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. 

Why this is important: While there were only two dissenting votes across three states for Esthetics Licensure Compact bills, the Esthetics Compact will end 2026 short of the seven-state threshold necessary to become operational.  

OKLAHOMA'S SUNSET BILL ADVANCES TO THE SENATE FLOOR

Oklahoma’s Board of Cosmetology and Barbering sunset bill – HB 3000 – was unanimously reported from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week and has been calendared for debate on the Senate floor. An affirmative Senate floor voted passage would clear the measure for transmission to Governor Stitt.

Why this is important: Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed a similar measure last year. At last week’s committee hearing, Senator Bergstrom – the Senate patron – indicated that he has discussed the measure with the governor’s office.

REASON TV BASHES LOUISIANA HAIR BRAIDING BILL

Reason TV, a popular libertarian YouTube channel and the video production arm of Reason magazine, lambasted Louisiana HB 912.

See: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qZqmKqE4Oq0  

The bill would establish a 600-hour alternative hair design license to replace the current 500-hour alternative hair design permit. The measure is currently in the House Commerce Committee, along with measure – HB 266 – to create a special permit for hair braiding services that requires reviewing safety and sanitation materials and passage of a 20-question safety and sanitation exam.   

Why this is important: According to the Institute for Justice, 37 states completely exempt braiders from licensure.

MINNESOTA HOUSE APPROVES BARBERING MODIFICATIONS

Minnesota’s House of Representatives unanimously approved HF 3528 last week. The measure removes a requirement for licensure applicants to complete “ten grades of education.” Instead, licensees must be at least 17 years of age and complete 1,500 hours of study including 281 classroom hours and 1,219 practical hours. The bill also adds provisions requiring the Board of Barber Examiners to conduct a public meeting when considering an application to establish a barber school. During which the applicant must attest that “the contents of the application are true” and that they have “sufficient financial resources to fund the barber school.” The Board may deny a school's application if the school's financial resources would be insufficient to maintain and operate the school and stay open long enough for all registered students to graduate. Additional bill provisions modify fees, clarify that the removal of hair through waxing is “not barbering,” and provide for cosmetology crossover.

Why this is important: The bill would repeal several administrative rules promulgated by the Board of Barber Examiners and codify similar standards and requirements in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 154 (Barbers).

UPDATES ON ALABAMA AND HAWAII DEREGULATION BILLS

Alabama’s legislature adjourned sine die last week killing a blow dry styling deregulation bill (SB 274) that passed the Senate unanimously. The measure was reported out of the House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee but was never considered on the House floor.

An Alabama bill to deregulate natural hair styling (SB 183) – defined as the practice of cleansing, weaving or interweaving, extending, locking, braiding, or arranging the hair without cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, removing, or chemical treatments – received final legislative last Wednesday. Once enrolled, it will be transmitted to Governor Kay Ivey (R) for signature into law.

A similar Hawaii bill – SB 2876 – was reported to the House floor after being amended by the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee last week. The Committee report states, “your committee additionally finds that, although natural hair braiders should be exempt from licensure due to the nature of their practice, natural hair braiding nevertheless involves direct contact with clients and the use of tools and materials that, if not properly sanitized or sterilized, may create conditions that pose risks to the health and safety of clients. Thus, while natural hair braiders should not be subject to the onerous educational requirements applicable to other professions covered by the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, natural hair braiders should be subject to some regulation to ensure that practitioners are complying with sanitation standards.” A July 1, 3000, effective date was also added to the bill to “encourage additional discussion.”  

ON THE REGULATORY FRONT

Amended Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering distance education rules become effective on May 15, 2026, and will permit distance learning for up to 50% of the total coursework. Schools offering distance education are required to determine the specific hours for theory and practical instruction “based on the course of study in accordance with the school’s established curriculum” and must maintain documentation of attendance.  

Revised Alabama rules pertaining to apprenticeships, fees for open records requests, and candidate examinations also become effective on May 15, 2026. 

BILL TRACKING & QUESTIONS

Please visit the AACS State Legislative Tracking page to access bill text and to see what may be pending in your state(s). Please note that this resource contains bills not listed in this report that may be of interest or concern to your school or business.

Please contact StateGR@myaacs.org with comments or questions.