HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2242
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
January 27, 2012
Title: An act relating to requiring the department of licensing to adopt rules to allow online learning for training in the areas of cosmetology, manicuring, barbering, esthetics, and instructor-training.
Brief Description: Requiring the department of licensing to adopt rules regarding online learning for training in cosmetology, manicuring, barbering, esthetics, and instruction.
Sponsors: Representatives Ryu, Jinkins and Miloscia.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Business & Financial Services: 1/17/12 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/27/12, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Kirby, Chair; Kelley, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Condotta, Hudgins, Hurst, Parker, Pedersen, Rivers, Ryu and Stanford.
Staff: Jon Hedegard (786-7127).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (Department) regulates cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, and esthetics. A person must be licensed to practice these professions. A barber license allows the cutting, trimming, arranging, dressing, curling, shampooing, shaving, and mustache and beard design of the face, neck, and scalp. A cosmetology license allows all these practices and, in addition, allows the following practices involving chemicals: permanent waving, chemical relaxing, straightening, bleaching, lightening, and coloring. The license also allows waxing and tweezing. Finally, the cosmetologist license also allows some of the practices permitted for manicurists and estheticians. To receive a license, a person must meet training requirements and pass an exam.
Minimum training hours at a school consist of:
cosmetologist, 1,600 hours;
barber, 1,000 hours;
manicurist, 600 hours;
esthetician, 600 hours; and
instructor-trainee, 500 hours.
Minimum training hours in an apprenticeship program consist of:
cosmetologist, 2,000 hours;
barber, 1,200 hours;
manicurist, 800 hours; and
esthetician, 800 hours.
A reciprocity provision allows a person with the equivalent license in another state to take the examination.
The Department:
establishes curricula for the training of students and apprentices;
prepares and administers the exams;
establishes minimum safety and sanitation standards; and
adopts rules and otherwise administers the provisions.
Summary of Bill:
A number of findings are made regarding the value of distance or online learning.
"Distance or online learning" is defined as theory training provided online by a licensed school in the areas of cosmetology, manicuring, barbering, esthetics, and instructor-training.
The Department must adopt rules regarding distance or online learning.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Explicitly authorizing the Department to adopt rules regarding online learning will ensure proper oversight while enabling students to pursue this learning option. Online learning can provide a student with the additional flexibility necessary to maintain work and family commitments. Online learning will reduce travel and traffic. Online learning expands options for students in rural areas. Hopefully, the bill will provide quicker access to jobs in these professions. There are people today who are interested in a career in one of these professions who simply cannot spend the time or the money on attending a school. This bill will shorten the amount of time that has to be spent on a campus and the amount of time taken up by a commute. The online learning hours can be done on the student's schedule and completed at their convenience. The bill will cut months of time off the amount required to get a degree for some students. Online learning is a trend in education. Other types of schools are taking advantage of this opportunity. The issue has been discussed by industry stakeholders for many years. Stakeholders worked with the Department on the bill. The Department will retain oversight of the schools and the curricula. This may be operational within a year of the effective date of the bill. There is no known opposition and there are no known concerns.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Ryu, prime sponsor; Jerry Ahern, Gene Juarez Salons and Spas; and Steve Lindstrom, Northwest Career Colleges Federation.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.