SB2876 • 2026

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: KIM, DECOITE, DECORTE, HASHIMOTO, MCKELVEY, RICHARDS
Last action: 2026-05-08
Official status: Enrolled to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details on the implementation of private certification or its enforcement, leading to uncertainty in these areas.

Natural Hair Braiding Law

This law changes the rules for natural hair braiders in Hawaii, allowing them to register instead of getting a license from the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology starting January 1, 2028.

What This Bill Does

Changes the requirement for natural hair braiders to get a registration under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology starting January 1, 2028.
Requires the Board to create rules by November 1, 2026, about courses or programs that cover health and safety practices for natural hair braiding registration.

Who It Names or Affects

Natural hair braiders 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 such as clips, combs, crochet hooks, curlers, and scissors.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not specify what happens if a natural hair braider violates the rules.
It is unclear how private certification will be implemented or enforced.

Amendments

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

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: SB2876 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2876 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2876 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII C.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB2876 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2876 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2876 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING .

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Enrolled to Governor.
2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-29 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 91-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-04-29 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 91-26).
2026-04-29 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-29 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lamosao, Keohokalole, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-29 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 873).
2026-04-28 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-29-26 3:45PM in conference room 224.
2026-04-28 H
House Conferees Appointed: Matayoshi Chair; Grandinetti, Pierick.
2026-04-23 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 740).
2026-04-23 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Lamosao Chair; Keohokalole Co-Chair; Awa.
2026-04-16 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
2026-04-16 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2026-04-16 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 711).
2026-04-14 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-09 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) Cochran excused (1).
2026-04-09 H
Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1970-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
2026-03-31 H
The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.
2026-03-27 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:05PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-10 H
Referred to CPC, referral sheet 16
2026-03-10 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-06 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 83).
2026-03-06 S
Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-05 S
One Day Notice 03-06-26.
2026-03-05 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.
2026-03-05 S
Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2799) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
2026-02-25 S
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-20 S
The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-25-26 9:32AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-01-30 S
Referred to CPN.
2026-01-26 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-23 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; Natural Hair Braiding; Exemption from Licensure; Registration; Sanitation, Health, and Safety Practices
Beginning 1/1/2028, 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 that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding registration. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2876

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2876

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.

����
(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.

����
(c)
�

For the purposes of this section:

����
"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.

����
"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;

����
(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

����
(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).

����
"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

����
(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.