Utah cosmetologists push back against Provo senator's licensing exemption bill

Utah cosmetologists are pushing back against a licensing exemption bill being considered by the Utah State Legislature that they say would hurt the cosmetology industry and pose public health risks.

Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, would modify the state Cosmetology and Associated Professions Licensing Act to create a licensure exemption for a cosmetologist who “dries, styles, arranges, dresses, curls, hot irons, shampoos, or conditions hair” but does not cut the hair or apply dye or reactive chemicals.

The bill, which received a favorable recommendation from the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Jan. 20, is supported by libertarian advocacy groups that argue that the licensure requirements are burdensome and non-essential. Many cosmetologists and beauty schools, meanwhile, say Utah’s licensing requirements are necessary to keep the public safe.

“Our biggest concern is public safety,” Christina Thomas, who operates 19 salons in Utah, told the committee. “Sanitation and cleanliness is taught in the schools. And during COVID, I was so thankful that my employees were licensed and they had the education that they had received in school to keep the public safe.”

Read more: https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/utah-cosmetologists-push-back-against-provo-senator-s-licensing-exemption-bill/article_8db22401-e182-5dd2-8996-8511dff5f8f0.html
(Provo Daily Herald)