SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5337

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 22, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the state cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring advisory board.

Brief Description:  Reconstituting the state cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring advisory board.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/1/95, 2/22/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5337 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  Statute authorizes a five member advisory board to assist the Director of the Department of Licensing with regard to standards and licensing for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians (skin care specialists), and manicurists.  Vacancies on the board have not been filled and it has been inactive during the past year.

Practitioners and educators are concerned with inadequate training and a lack of enforcement of skill levels and health standards. They believe that these deficiencies have reduced the economic viability of this work and discouraged persons from entering these professions.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The state Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring Advisory Board is increased from five to seven members.  The terms of current members expire on June 30, 1995, and the Governor must appoint new members who represent six specific industry groups to serve a two-year term at which time the board shall cease to exist.  The seventh appointee must be a consumer not connected with the industry.  Current members may be appointed to the reconstituted board and the Governor may fill any subsequent vacancies.  The reconstituted board is required to conduct a review of educational requirements, licensing requirements, and enforcement of health standards for the industry.  In addition, the board must deliver a report to the Governor and to the chairpersons of the Government Operations Committees of the House and Senate that summarizes its findings, and makes recommendations for legislation that reforms and restructures the regulation of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and manicuring.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill specified only two industry groups which the board appointees must represent.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  No meetings have been held so there is no opportunity for input.  Industry is troubled, many unlicensed practitioners.  The level of professionalism needs to be increased.  People are discouraged from entering their field.  They need to be considered as part of the economic development of the state.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gene Cross, Everett Plaza Beauty School; Noreen Bowdon, Kay Hiral, WA State Cosmetology Apprenticeship Council.