California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed AB 2166 into law Monday. The measure, which did not receive a dissenting vote in either legislative chamber, will require schools to provide chemical and hairstyling services training for “all hair types and textures, including, but not limited to, various curl or wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair.” It also contains language providing for written licensure examinations to determine “the applicant’s skill in, and knowledge of, providing services to individuals with varying hair types and textures, as applicable to the practice for which the applicant has applied for licensure.” The Act will become effective on January 1, 2025.
On the regulatory front, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s SB 803 Clean Up regulation last month and filed the action with the Secretary of State. The regulatory action will become effective on October 1, 2024.
Missouri The September 16, 2024, Missouri Register (see page 18 of the PDF) indicated that no comments were received on amendments to 20 CSR 2085-8.070 – Instructor Renewal and Inactive License Requirements – published in the Register on June 3, 2024. Accordingly, the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners regulation will become effective 30 days after publication in the Code of State Regulations.
Two comments were submitted regarding amendments to 20 CSR 2085-12.010 – General Rules and Application Requirements for All Schools. A representative from the Missouri Association of Cosmetology Schools “expressed concern based on changing regulatory framework from the federal level which may impact the financing of students attending state programs. He further suggests, if moving forward with this rule, limiting distance learning to no more than ten percent (10%) of total number of hours needed to graduate. Limiting the number of distance learning hours will eliminate the potential for a school to suggest that up to fifty percent of the required hours to graduate be completed in distance learning.”
The second comment was from a representative from The Paul Mitchell School Springfield, Missouri, who expressed “his excitement of implementing the new distance learning rule for his schools. He stated that ninety percent (90%) of all students who enroll in his schools have successfully completed some form of online/distance education in high school or college. His students ask constantly about the ability of The Paul Mitchell Schools having the opportunity to offer distance education.”
In response to the comments, the Board indicated that “no changes have been made to this rule.” Effective 30 days after publication in the Code of State Regulations, the rule will allow fifty percent (50%) of theory hours to be completed by virtual learning.
New Jersey The Assembly Regulated Professions Committee reported A4331 earlier this month with Committee amendments. As previously reported, the bill would provide for licensed “cosmetic retail service establishments” as present law requires cosmetic retailers offering paid services to meet the same space requirements as a full-service salon. The committee amendments state that “the issuance of a limited cosmetic retail service license to a cosmetic retail service establishment shall not change the pre-existing use and occupancy classification of an establishment under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.”
Under the measure, a limited cosmetic retail service establishment would be allowed one chair for every 750 square feet of retail space. According to the sponsors, the beauty and cosmetics industry employs a large number of state residents and is critical to the success of New Jersey retail facilities, such as shopping malls and retail centers. “This bill will create new jobs for individuals already licensed as skincare specialists, allow those graduating from an approved cosmetology school to have more options for employment, and grow the retail-based economy of New Jersey.”
Virginia The Boards for Barbers and Cosmetology recently posted a Guidance Document for non-traditional or online instruction with additional changes pertaining to the Board outlining practical and theory topics.
The Guidance Document however states that accredited schools and schools certified by SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia) are exempt from adhering to this guidance document. “This exemption is due to the stringent requirements imposed by accrediting agencies and SCHEV, which supersede the need for adherence to the guidance document.”
A modified Guidance Document regarding implementation of 1,000-hour cosmetology curriculum was also posted online last week. The updated version states, “schools may choose to continue to teach a 1,500-hour curriculum, but must still submit a revised curriculum by September 1, 2024.” | 
