SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2202

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Financial Services, Insurance & Housing, April 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to cosmetology apprenticeship.

Brief Description: Providing for cosmetology apprenticeships.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives McDonald and Conway).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Services, Insurance & Housing: 4/3/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES, INSURANCE & HOUSING

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Benton, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Keiser, Prentice, Reardon and Roach.

Staff: Alison Mendiola-Hamilton (786-7576)

Background: Cosmetologists in Washington State are required to be licensed. Cosmetology students enrolled in a school are not required to be licensed to perform services within their authorized scope of practice. Such services are performed without compensation.

To become licensed, a candidate must: 1) be 17 years of age or older; 2) graduate from a licensed cosmetology school; and 3) pass the licensing exam.

Summary of Amended Bill: A two-year cosmetology apprenticeship pilot program is created, as is an advisory board, coordinated by the Department of Licensing. Up to 20 salons, throughout Washington, may participate. The advisory board must present the Legislature with a report on the pilot program by December 31, 2005. Cosmetology apprentices enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program can perform services within their scope of practice without being licensed, and receive compensation for such services.

To become licensed, an apprentice must: 1) be 17 years of age or older; 2) successfully complete the apprenticeship; and 3) pass the licensing exam.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The pilot program is added to the original bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: (Original Bill) Creating an apprenticeship program provides opportunities for people who want to be cosmetologists but going to school for a year is not possible (due to finances, family obligations, and other reasons).

The Bush Administration supports apprenticeship expansion. Allowing this program, and allowing apprentices to receive a wage stimulates our economy. There are very rigorous standards involved, so apprentices will receive quality training and become licensed cosmetologists. There is still a required classroom component.

Testimony Against: (Original Bill) This bill allows apprentices to practice unlicensed cosmetology and would be harmful and increases the illegal practice of cosmetology. This will also lead to the deregulation of the industry, and it degrades the cosmetology license. A conventional (school vs apprenticeship) education is in the public's best interest.

Testified: Representative McDonald, prime sponsor; Anne Wetmore, US Department of Labor (information); Kay Hiral, Studio 904 (pro); Martin Dow, Glen Dow Academy (con); Timothy Corpus, Studio Donna (pro); David Kilo, NCA of WA (con); Rosie McGrew, DOL (neutral); BJ Boyer, BJ's Beauty & Barber College (con); Alan Rathbun, DOL Business & Professions (neutral); Noreen Bowdon, 22 Changes Spa/Salon (pro).