HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5997

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to the program regulating cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring.

Brief Description:  Requiring periodic inspections for the regulation of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Schow and Fraser.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  3/31/97, 4/3/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives McMorris, Chairman; Honeyford, Vice Chairman; Conway, Ranking Minority Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Clements; Cole; Hatfield and Lisk.

Staff:  Selwyn Walters (786-7117).

Background:  Individuals providing cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring services, and operators of salons or shops providing those services must be licensed. Schools of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics or manicuring, and instructors at those schools must also be licensed.  Applicants for a license to practice cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring services, or to operate a salon or shop that provides those services must meet certain training/education requirements, pass the appropriate exam, and pay a license fee.

The Department of Licensing administers the cosmetologists, barbers, and manicurists licensing law. The director of the Department of Licensing has the authority to investigate violations of the licensing law, and from time to time, may audit cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring schools for compliance.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing must inspect schools of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and manicuring at least once a year. The department must inspect cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and manicuring salons and shops at least once every two years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring schools, salons, and shops were inspected by the Department of Licensing, but inspections were discontinued because of cost.  The department initiated a pilot project on inspections and discovered several serious violations of the licensing law.  Sixteen schools were inspected and all were found in violation of the licensing law. Relatedly, 589 shops were inspected and 580 shops were found in violations of the licensing law.  This legislation seeks to protect the public from untrained and incompetent individuals.  The cosmetology industry uses several chemicals and tools which, if not used professionally, may cause severe injury to customers.  Regular inspections by the department will ensure cosmetology practitioners are complying with the licensing law and the health and safety regulations issued by the department.  There are also many individuals who practice cosmetology without a license.  Therefore, it is unfair that licensed practitioners have to pay their share and compete with people who are not licensed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, prime sponsor; Linda Broderick, Private Career Schools; and David Kile, Washington State Cosmetology Association.