HB1697 • 2026

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ICHIYAMA
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: Referred to CPN.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date of July 1, 3000 seems incorrect and requires further verification.

Natural Hair Braiding Rules

This bill allows natural hair braiders to register with the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology instead of getting a full license, while requiring them to follow health, safety, and sanitation rules.

What This Bill Does

Changes the law so that people who braid hair naturally do not need a cosmetology or barbering license.
Requires these hair braiders to be registered with the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology instead of getting a full license.
By November 1, 2026, the board must create rules about health, safety, and sanitation for natural hair braiding courses.

Who It Names or Affects

Natural hair braiders who want to work in Hawaii
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Terms To Know

natural hair braiding: Twisting, locking, wrapping, weaving, cornrowing, extending, or braiding hair by hand or with tools.
braiding device: Tools used for natural hair braiding like combs, scissors, and hairpins.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a hair braid service is offered without proper training.
It's unclear how the new rules will be enforced or what sanctions might apply for violations.
The effective date of July 1, 3000 seems to be an error and needs clarification.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: The amendment requires natural hair braiders to register with the board of barbering and cosmetology instead of obtaining a full license.

Natural hair braiders must now register with the board rather than obtain a full license under the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act.
Registration includes submitting an application, proof of completion of a sanitation course starting November 1, 2026, and paying an application fee.
Registrants must renew their registration every two years by December 31st of each odd-numbered year.

The exact details of the sanitation course requirements are not specified in this amendment text.

Bill History

2026-03-12 S
Referred to CPN.
2026-03-12 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-12 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 268).
2026-03-10 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-05 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1).
2026-03-05 H
Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 896-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
2026-03-04 H
The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Pierick.
2026-03-02 H
Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 03-04-26 2:00PM in conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-24 H
The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-02-20 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 02-24-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to CPC, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-20 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; Natural Hair Braiding; Exemption from Licensure; Registration
Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs on sanitation, health, and safety. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1697

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1697

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to natural hair braiding
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that natural hair
braiding is a traditional practice that does not present significant health and
safety risks to consumers or practitioners.
�

While natural hair braiding is distinct from the practice of cosmetology
or barbering, existing law has been interpreted to require natural hair
braiders to obtain a license from the board of barbering and cosmetology,
imposing an undue burden on those who engage in natural hair braiding as a
profession.
�
Because licensees are required
to undergo education and training for cosmetology practices that are outside
the scope of natural hair braiding, such as nail care and makeup application,
the purpose of this Act is to exempt natural hair braiders from licensing
requirements under the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act under certain
conditions.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 439A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�439A-
�
Natural
hair braiders; exemption; conditions.
�
(a)
�
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
require a natural hair braider that engages in the practice of natural hair
braiding to obtain a license under this chapter; provided that the natural hair
braider shall not perform or attempt to perform services regulated under this
chapter or advertise services in such a way that misleads consumers to believe
that the natural hair braider offers services that are otherwise regulated
under this chapter.
�
Any natural hair
braider who violates this subsection may be subject to sanctions authorized
under this chapter for the unlicensed practice of barbering or the unlicensed
practice of cosmetology.

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(b)
�
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
prohibit a person from obtaining a private certification or an employer from
requiring a person to obtain a private certification.

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(c)
�

For the purposes of this section:

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"Braiding device" means clips,
combs, crochet hooks, curlers, curling irons, hairpins, rollers, scissors,
blunt-tipped needles, threads, or hair binders.

����
"Natural hair braider"
means a person who engages in the practice of natural hair braiding.

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"Natural hair braiding"
includes:

����
(1)
�
Twisting,
locking, wrapping, weaving, cornrowing, extending, or braiding hair by hand or
with braiding devices, and the minor trimming of hair extensions incidental
thereto;

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(2)
�
The use of
natural or synthetic hair extensions, natural or synthetic hair and fibers,
decorative beads, and other hair accessories;

����
(3)
�
The making and
lacing of wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair
extensions; and

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(4)
�
The use of
topical agents, including conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, or pomades in
conjunction with the performance of the practices described in paragraphs (1)
through (3).

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"Natural hair braiding"
does not include:

����
(1)
�
The application
of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other preparations to:

���������
(A)
�
Alter
the color of hair; or

���������
(B)
�
Straighten,
curl, or alter the structure of hair; or

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(2)
�
The use of
chemical hair joining agents including synthetic tape, keratin bonds, or fusion
bonds.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Board of
Barbering and Cosmetology; Natural Hair Braiding; License; Exemption

Description:

Exempts
natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.