State Update - June 11

June 11, 2025

HEADLINES

• Oklahoma Policymakers Temporarily Preserve Board to Allow for 2026 Barbering and Cosmetology Overhaul
• Texas Governor Vetoes Injection Bill
• Illinois Hair Braiding Deregulation Bill Stalls

THIS WEEK IN THE STATES

The second week of June finds 19 state legislatures in session or actively meeting – including Missouri meeting in special session to address sports team incentives and income tax relief for tornado victims. Over the next two weeks, Louisiana (June 12) and Maine (June 18) are scheduled to adjourn for the year.

OKLAHOMA COSMETOLOGY AND BARBERING BOARD RECEIVES TEMPORARY REPRIEVE

Governor Kevin Stitt (R) signed SB 676 into law late last month. The bill contains language to extend the sunset of the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering until July 1, 2025, which under state law allows beauty industry practitioners and schools to remain licensed until June 30, 2026.

The provision was necessary after Governor Kevin Stitt (R) vetoed a standalone barbering and cosmetology sunset bill – HB 1030 – in early May. In his veto message, the Governor stated the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering should be restructured or consolidated under a more appropriate umbrella.

The legislature, however, lacked the time to address the Governor’s concerns leading to beauty industry licensees protesting at the State Capitol to override the veto. According to FOX23 News, the passage of SB 676 “was not a veto override but a promise for a major overhaul in 2026.”

“’There was a lot of concern over the last couple of days. Would their license suddenly not mean anything and would they go away? What this would do is it would give them security for the next year as we’re working through that,’ said State Rep. Brian Hill (R-Mustang). After hearing the governor’s concerns that the oversight of salons and barber shops was broken, and the board just collects money but doesn’t really do anything more, lawmakers agreed that change is needed, and the board’s functions may be more appropriate for the Department of Health.”

Why this is important: Cosmetology and barbering regulation and oversight will be revisited during Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session. During the interim, schools and beauty industry officials will need to work with Governor Stitt and legislators on reforms.

TEXAS GOVERNOR VETOES INJECTION BILL

Governor Greg Abbott (R) vetoed SB 378 last week. The bill would prohibit barbering and cosmetology licensees from making “an incision into the dermis layer of a person’s skin” or from using a device ordered or prescribed by a medical practitioner.

The Governor’s veto proclamation states, “Texas should be removing barriers for small

businesses and occupational licensees. Senate Bill 378 by Schwertner does just the opposite by, among other things, prohibiting a licensed cosmetologist or barber from ‘making an incision into the dermis layer of a person's skin.’ Barbers who nick a customer's neck during a straight razor shave should not fear the loss of their licenses.

As we work to make government more efficient and less intrusive for Texans and businesses, unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations are counterproductive. Therefore, I disapprove of this bill.” In the final days of Texas’ 2025 legislative session, both the House and Senate adopted a conference committee report to the state’s Cosmetology Licensure Compact bill – HB 705. – due to Senate amendments to Article 15, which address conflicts with other states. The enrolled bill has been transmitted to Governor Abbott for signature into law.

Why this is important: SB 378 was vetoed despite receiving a unanimous vote in the Senate and a supermajority vote (107 to 39) in the House. The measure was intended to address "Botox parties" during which estheticians and cosmetologists administered unauthorized injections to friends and family. A veto override is not possible as the legislature has adjourned for the year.



Texas will become the third state to enact the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in 2025 if Governor Abbott signs HB 705 into law. The measure contains a September 1, 2026, effective date.

ILLINOIS HAIR BRAIDING DEREGULATION BILL FAILS TO ADVANCE

A hair braiding deregulation bill that was unanimously passed by the House and Senate died in the final days of Illinois’ legislative session “after opponents voiced concerns about how deregulation could impact health, safety and equity for the profession.” 

According to WTTW News, “members of the Illinois Association of Hair Braiders, or IAOHB, the original advocates behind the 2011 rule that established a special license for braiders, said a repeal would have reversed hard-won strides for the profession.” After meeting with IAOHB, House bill sponsor Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago decided not to bring HB 3356 back to the House floor to concur with Senate amendments.  

Why this is important: According to the IJ, 36 states completely exempt braiders from licensure. Illinois’ Comprehensive License Information to Minimize Barriers (CLIMB) Task Force released a November 2024 report that recommended eliminating hair braiding licenses.   

It states, “requiring a license for hair braiders does not enhance public safety but it disproportionately impacts individuals from minority communities. Eliminating this license altogether would remove an unjust barrier to economic participation without compromising public health or safety.” 

BRIEF UPDATES FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, AND VERMONT

New Hampshire SB 194, which would reduce the minimum course of instruction for

cosmetology in the Granite State from 1,500 to 1,200 hours, has been enrolled and is awaiting transmitted to Governor Kelly Ayotte (R). As previously reported, the measure did not receive a dissenting vote in either legislative chamber.

A1916 was favorably reported from the New York Assembly Codes Committee last week and is now in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. The bill provides for the licensure of laser hair removal technicians in the Empire State. Training requirements would be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee.

Vermont H472 has been transmitted to Governor Phil Scott (R) after amendments required the measure to receive both House and Senate concurrence votes last month. As previously reported, the bill would require Vermont barbering and cosmetology schools to provide training “on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.”

Why this is important: The three most recent states (New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Utah) to pass hour reduction bills reduced cosmetology to 1,200 or 1,250 hours not 1,000 hours.

Vermont is poised to become the seventh state to require textured hair training.

VIRGINIA TO CONDUCT JUNE 17 PRIMARY

Virginia will hold a primary on June 17 to finalize the November ballot. On the Republican side, only House of Delegate seats with two or more GOP candidates will be on the ballot. The party’s slate of constitutional office nominees has already been finalized with Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Lt. Governor, leading the ticket as the gubernatorial nominee. Radio host John Reid is the party’s Lt. Governor nominee and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for re-election.

On the Democratic side, former Congresswoman Abigal Spanberger is her party’s nominee for Governor. The Democrats however have contested primaries for Lt. Governor and Attorney General. The leading Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor are State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Prince William County School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, State Senator Aaron Rouse, and former Richmond Mayor Lavar Stoney. For the party’s Attorney General nomination, former State Delegate Jay Jones is facing off against Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor.

Why this is important: Virginia's off-year elections are often seen as a bellwether for national political trends, especially when they occur a year after a new presidential term begins.

BILL TRACKING AND QUESTIONS

Please visit our newly enhanced 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.