PBA Members Urge Texas State to Oppose House Bill 1705

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Texas House Bill 1705, which would completely abolish the regulation of cosmetology and barbering in the state, was assigned to the House Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures. The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and its members oppose deregulation and are urging Texas state committee members to oppose HB 1705. Filed by Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen from District 66, the bill could lead to several consequences.

“Deregulation of cosmetology and barbering exposes consumers to significant health and safety risks and would remove formal complaint processes if they were to be injured or infected during a service,” said PBA executive director Steve Sleeper. “Without regulation, many service providers could not obtain liability insurance, leaving providers financially liable if a customer took legal action following an injury during a service. The passage of this Bill would be detrimental to both Texas-based consumers and professionals and would set a dangerous precedent for lawmakers in other states considering passing similar legislation.”

Cosmetology and barbering is currently regulated in all 50 states. Like all industry professionals across the U.S., Texas cosmetologists and barbers are currently required to be trained to utilize chemicals and tools safely to avoid injuries and the spread of infections. They are also held accountable with oversight from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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“As a salon owner with four locations in and around San Antonio, we employ 80 licensed cosmetologists. Our consumers expect a level of safety and standards that regulations help to ensure. Like the medical industry, the cosmetology industry is licensed to touch safely and without concerns of uneducated persons applying harmful chemicals in the wrong order or potency—a scary thought,” explains K. Charles & Co. salon owner Holly Thalman.

Texas boasts a thriving salon industry, generating almost $5 billion in annual sales and providing employment opportunities to over 30,000 individuals. Between the years 2006 to 2016, the industry grew by 22 percent in contrast to the state’s 19 percent private sector growth that took place during that same decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salon industry is poised to grow another 13 percent between 2016 to 2026.

 

—by Angelina Lewis

 

[Image: Courtesy of Unsplash]

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