SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5997

               As Passed Senate, March 14, 1997

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:  3/3/97, 3/5/97 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  3/10/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/14/97, 46-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Anderson, Franklin, Fraser, Heavey and Newhouse.

Staff:  Aurora Almeda (786-7488)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Kohl, Long, Loveland, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau and Winsley.

Staff:  Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background:  Under current law, cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians and manicurists, and operators of salons or shops employing such individuals are required to be licensed.  In addition, schools of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics or manicuring, and instructors at such schools are required to be licensed.  Individuals seeking any of the above licenses must meet certain training/education requirements, pass the appropriate exam, and pay a license fee.

The Department of Licensing administers these licensing programs.  Currently, the fee paid by licensees is deposited into the general fund with a portion of these fees returned to the department for implementation of these programs.

The department is not currently required to conduct regular inspections of licensed establishments unless a complaint is received.  Recently, the department began to conduct random inspections of salons and shops to determine compliance with state licensing laws and found numerous violations of these laws.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing must inspect schools of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and manicuring at least once a year. In addition, 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:  There are many people practicing cosmetology without a license.  Because the cosmetology industry deals with a number of dangerous chemicals and tools, regular inspections should be conducted to make sure that practitioners are both licensed and complying with health and safety regulations.  Currently, the department conducts inspections only when a complaint is received; not very many complaints are received because there are many practicing without a license.  The Department of Licensing conducted a nine-month pilot program which found that 98 percent of the licensees were not complying with safety regulations.  It's not fair that licensed practitioners should have to pay their fair share, and compete with people who are not only unlicensed but not complying with any regulations.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, prime sponsor; Noreen Bowdon, WA State Cosmetology Association; Deborah Sanders, Salon Visions; David Kile, Washington State Cosmetology Association; John Olsen, WA Cosmetology Advisory Board; Linda Broderick, Washington Federation of Private Beauty Schools and Colleges; Mary Jelvik, Department of Licensing.