SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2809

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Exempting photography studios from cosmetology licensing requirements.

SPONSORS: Representatives Backlund, Finkbeiner, Flemming, L. Johnson, Stevens, Romero, Basich, Talcott, Chandler, Casada, McMorris and Cothern

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Amondson, Deccio, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sellar, Sutherland, Vognild and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senators Prentice, Vice Chairman, and Fraser.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

A cosmetology or related license is required of a person who engages in the commercial practice of cutting, trimming, styling, shampooing, permanent waving, chemical relaxing or straightening, bleaching, or coloring hair, manicuring or removing hair. 

Photography studios are not exempt from the provisions of the licensing statute and are required to employ licensed cosmetologists to style the hair of customers in preparation for photography sessions. 

Application of makeup is not part of the practice of cosmetology.  Hair spray, mousse, and gel are not chemicals for the purposes of the cosmetology licensing law.

SUMMARY:

Photography studios are not required to employ licensed cosmetologists to style the hair of customers in preparation for photography sessions.  Photography studio employees who style, curl or tease a customer's hair, without using chemicals, in order to prepare the customer for a photography session are exempt from the cosmetology licensing requirement.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 25, 1994

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will correct a misinterpretation of state law made by the Department of Licensing which has resulted in photography studios being required to obtain a cosmetology license.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Backlund, prime sponsor; Wally Kempe, Glamour Shots Professional Photography Studio