House Bill 494

Chair's Name: Roger Williams

Committee: Regulated Industries

House Sponsor: Don Parsons

HB 494 creates two new levels of cosmetology certificates: Master esthetician and Wax technician. The majority of the bill adds/changes definitions, sets out certification requirements, and makes other adjustments to include these two new levels. Also addressed in the bill are 1) Continuing education requirements, allowing the State Board of Cosmetology to develop the required two hour health and safety course, replacing the three hour course by GTAE in the current law; 2) Requiring that cosmetologists licensed in other states must be a legal resident of the United States before being granted reciprocity.

This committee substitute comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule.

Chairman Williams’s opinion of the legislation:

Skin care is becoming a greater part of cosmetology. In order to address the health issues related to skincare there needs to be new definitions in the law and there needs to be further certification and education requirements. This legislation was brought by the State Board of Cosmetology. This board is charged with creating education/ training and certification requirements.

This legislation:

•        Increases Personal Responsibility within the cosmetology industry