SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6323

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, FEBRUARY 4, 1994

Brief Description:  Exempting photography studios from cosmetology licensing requirements.

SPONSORS: Senators Bluechel and Moore

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass. 

     Signed by Senator Prentice, Vice Chairman.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 3, 1994; February 4, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, an individual who cuts, trims, styles, shampoos, waves, bleaches or colors hair must be licensed as a cosmetologist.  Any building in which the practice of cosmetology takes place must be licensed as a cosmetology salon or shop and must be operated under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetologist.

An individual employed in a photography studio who curls, teases or sprays a customer's hair in preparation for a photography session is required to be licensed as a cosmetologist.  In addition, studios who employ such individuals are required to be licensed as a cosmetology salon or shop.

SUMMARY:

An individual employed in a photography studio who styles or teases a studio customer's hair, without using chemicals, is not required to obtain a cosmetology license.  In addition, photography studios are exempt from the salon or shop licensing requirements unless they employ a person required to be licensed as a cosmetologist.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will correct a serious misinterpretation of state law made by the Department of Licensing.  It would exempt photo studios and their employees who curl or tease a customer's hair prior to a photography session from the cosmetology licensing requirements.  The Department of Licensing currently requires photo studios that in any way touch the hair of their clients to be licensed as cosmetology salons.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The cosmetology industry does have concerns regarding the health of clients served by photography studios.  This bill does not address these concerns.

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Senator Bluechel, prime sponsor; Wally Kempe, owner, Glamour Shots; CON:  Gary Smith, Assn. of Independent Businesses