Requires training of cosmetologists-hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders to include working on textured hair.

A1975

ASSEMBLY, No. 1975

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY

District 18 (Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Venezia, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson,
Assemblyman Sampson and Assemblywoman Morales

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires training of cosmetologists-hairstylists,
beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders to include working on textured hair.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

An Act

concerning the training of certain licensees of
the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, and amending and
supplementing P.L.1984, c.205.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� Section 3 of P.L.1984,
c.205 (C.45:5B-3) is amended to read as follows:

���� 3.��� As used in
P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-1 et seq.):

����
a.�
"Barber" means any person who is licensed to engage in any of the
practices encompassed in barbering.

���� b.��� "Barbering"
means any one or combination of the following practices when performed on the
human body for cosmetic purposes and not for the treatment of disease or
physical or mental ailments and when performed for the general public,
primarily for male customers:

���� (1)� shaving or trimming of
the beard, mustache or other facial hair;

���� (2)� shampooing, cutting,
arranging, relaxing or styling of the hair;

���� (3)� singeing, dyeing,
tinting, coloring, bleaching of the hair;

���� (4)� applying cosmetic
preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions or creams to the hair, scalp, face
or neck;

���� (5)� massaging, cleansing or
stimulating the face, neck or scalp with or without cosmetic preparations,
either by hand, mechanical or electrical appliances; or

���� (6)� cutting, fitting,
coloring or styling of hairpieces or wigs, to the extent that the services are
performed while the wig is being worn by a person.

���� c.��� "Beautician"
means any person who is licensed to engage in any of the practices encompassed
in beauty culture.

���� d.��� "Beauty
culture" means any one or combination of the following practices when
performed on the human body for cosmetic purposes and not for the treatment of
disease or physical or mental ailments and when performed for the general
public, primarily for female customers:

���� (1)� shampooing, cutting,
arranging, dressing, relaxing, curling, permanent waving or styling of the
hair;

���� (2)� singeing, dyeing,
tinting, coloring, bleaching of the hair;

���� (3)� applying cosmetic
preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or makeup to the hair,
scalp, face, neck or upper part of the body;

���� (4)� massaging, cleansing, or
stimulating the face, scalp, neck or upper part of the body, with or without
cosmetic preparations either by hand, mechanical or electrical appliances;

���� (5)� removing superfluous hair
from the face, neck, arms, legs or abdomen by the use of depilatories, waxing
or tweezers, but not by the use of electrolysis;

���� (6)� manicuring the
fingernails, nail-sculpturing or pedicuring the toenails; or

���� (7)� cutting, fitting,
coloring or styling of hairpieces or wigs to the extent that the services are
performed while the wig is being worn by a person.

���� e.��� "Board" means
the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

���� f.���� "Board of Barber
Examiners" means the State Board of Barber Examiners established pursuant
to P.L.1938, c.197

(C.45:4-27 et seq.).

���� g.��� "Board of Beauty
Culture Control" means the Board of Beauty Culture Control established
pursuant to Chapter 4A of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

���� h.��� "Clinic" means
a designated portion of a licensed school in which members of the general
public may receive cosmetology and hairstyling services from senior students in
exchange for a fee.� The clinic shall clearly post the fees for the cosmetology
and hairstyling services and provide notice to consumers that the services
provided in the clinic are performed by senior students under the supervision
of licensed instructors.

���� i.���� "Cosmetologist-hairstylist"
means any person who is licensed to engage in the practices encompassed in
cosmetology and hairstyling.

���� j.���� "Cosmetology and
hairstyling" means any one or combination of the following practices when
performed on the human body for cosmetic purposes and not for the treatment of
disease or physical or mental ailments and when performed for the general public,
for male or female customers:

���� (1)� shaving or trimming of
the beard, mustache or other facial hair;

���� (2)� shampooing, cutting,
arranging, dressing, relaxing, curling, permanent waving or styling of the
hair;

���� (3)� singeing, dyeing,
tinting, coloring, bleaching of the hair;

���� (4)� applying cosmetic
preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or makeup to the hair,
scalp, face or neck;

���� (5)� massaging, cleansing or
stimulating the face, neck or upper part of the body, with or without cosmetic
preparations, either by hand, mechanical or electrical appliances;

���� (6)� removing superfluous hair
from the face, neck, arms, legs or abdomen by the use of depilatories, waxing
or tweezers, but not by the use of electrolysis;

���� (7)� manicuring the
fingernails, nail-sculpturing or pedicuring the toenails;

���� (8)� cutting, fitting,
coloring or styling of hairpieces or wigs to the extent that the services are
being performed while the wig is being worn by a person.

���� (9)� (Deleted by amendment,
P.L.2018, c.126)

���� k.��� "Manicurist"
means a person who holds a license to engage in only the practice of
manicuring.

���� l.���� "Manicuring"
means any one or combination of the following practices when performed on the
human body for cosmetic purposes and not for the treatment of disease or
physical or mental ailments and when performed for the general public, for male
or female customers:

���� (1)� manicuring of the
fingernails;

���� (2)� pedicuring of the
toenails;

���� (3)� nail sculpturing; or

���� (4)� removing superfluous hair
from the face, neck, arms, legs or abdomen by the use of depilatories, waxing
or tweezers, but not by the use of electrolysis.

���� m.�� "Owner" means
any person, corporation, firm or partnership who has a financial interest in a
school or shop entitling him to participate in the promotion, management and
proceeds thereof. It does not include a person whose connection with a school
or shop entitles him only to reasonable salary or wages for services actually
rendered.� "Owner" shall also mean any person, corporation, firm or
partnership who has a financial interest in a hair braiding shop entitling the
person, corporation, firm or partnership to participate in the promotion,
management and proceeds thereof.

���� n.��� "Practicing
licensee" means any person who holds a license to practice barbering,
beauty culture, cosmetology and hairstyling, manicuring or as a skin care
specialist.

���� o.��� "Registered
student" means a person who is engaged in learning and acquiring a
knowledge of any of the practices included in the definition of cosmetology and
hairstyling, including beauty culture, barbering, manicuring and skin care
specialty, under the direction and supervision of a person duly authorized
under
P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-1 et seq.)
to
teach cosmetology and hairstyling and who is enrolled in a program of
instruction at a licensed school of cosmetology and hairstyling, completion of
which may render him eligible for licensure pursuant to
P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-1 et seq.)
but does not mean a person who
is enrolled in a public school vocational program in cosmetology and
hairstyling approved by the State Board of Education or in any other
cosmetology and hairstyling program approved by the State Board of Education.

���� p.��� "Registration
card" means a document issued by the board to a registered student upon
receipt of documentation from a licensed school of cosmetology and hairstyling
that the student is enrolled.

���� q.��� "School" means
an establishment or place licensed by the board to be maintained for the
purpose of teaching cosmetology and hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering,
manicuring, hair braiding or skin care specialty to registered students.

���� r.���� "Senior
student" means a registered student who has successfully completed
one-half of the total hours of instruction required for licensure as a
cosmetologist-hairstylist, beautician, barber, manicurist or skin care
specialist in a licensed school of cosmetology and hairstyling, as determined
by the board pursuant to regulation, or in any public school vocational
training program approved by the State Board of Education.

���� s.���� "Student
permit" means a permit issued to a senior student which enables him to
practice cosmetology and hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, manicuring or
skin care specialty, as appropriate, based on the course of instruction in
which the student is enrolled, in a school clinic or shop while a registered
student at a licensed school of cosmetology and hairstyling or enrolled in an
approved vocational training program.

���� t.���� "Shop" means
any fixed establishment, mobile facility, or place where one or more persons
engage in one or more of the practices included in the definition of
cosmetology and hairstyling, barbering, beauty culture, manicuring, hair
braiding or skin care specialty.

���� u.��� "Teacher"
means any person who is licensed by the board to give instruction or training
in the theory or practice of cosmetology and hairstyling, beauty culture,
barbering, manicuring or skin care specialty.

���� v.��� "Temporary
permit" means a permit issued to applicants for licensure awaiting
scheduling or results of an examination.

���� w.�� (Deleted by amendment,
P.L.2009, c.162)

���� x.��� "Skin care
specialist" means a person who holds a license to engage in only the
practices included in the definition of skin care specialty.

���� y.��� "Skin care
specialty" means any one or combination of the following practices when
performed on the male or female human body for cosmetic purposes and not for
the treatment of disease or physical or mental ailments and when performed for
the general public, primarily for male customers:

���� (1)� applying cosmetic
preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or makeup to the scalp, face
or neck;

���� (2)� massaging, cleansing or
stimulating the face, neck or upper part of the body, with or without cosmetic
preparations, either by hand, mechanical or electrical appliances; or

���� (3)� removing superfluous hair
from the face, neck, arms, legs or abdomen by the use of depilatories, waxing
or tweezers, but not by the use of electrolysis.

���� z.��� (Deleted by amendment,
P.L.2009, c.162)

���� aa.�� "Hair braider"
or "hair braiding specialist" means a person who holds a license to
engage in only the practice of hair braiding.

���� bb.� "Hair braiding"
means the twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding of hair
by hand or with mechanical devices.� "Hair braiding" may include the
use of: natural or synthetic hair extensions or fibers, decorative beads, and
other hair accessories; minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions
incidental to twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding
hair; making of wigs from natural hair, natural or synthetic fibers, and hair
extensions; and the use of topical agents in conjunction with performing hair
braiding, including conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and
shampoos.

���� cc.�� (Deleted by amendment,
P.L.2023, c.231)

���� dd.� "Mobile
facility" means a shop capable of being moved from one place to another as
or by a motor vehicle that shall be properly registered, insured, and inspected
in accordance with all applicable motor vehicle laws and regulations and in
compliance with all appropriate municipal laws and regulations including, but
not limited to, licensing and land use approvals and permits, if applicable.

���� ee.�� �Chair or booth rental�
means a business arrangement entered into by a written contract whereby a
practicing licensee rents or leases a chair or booth from the owner of a
licensed shop.

����
ff.�� �Textured hair� means
hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy.

(cf: P.L.2023, c.231, s.1)

����� 2.�� Section
4 of P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-4) is amended to read as follows:

����� 4.�� There
is created within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and
Public Safety the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.� The
board shall consist of 13 members who are residents of the State, three of whom
shall be public members, two appointed pursuant to subsection b. of section 2
of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2) and one additional public member, and one of
whom shall be a State executive department member appointed pursuant to
subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.2).� Of the remaining�
nine members, six shall hold practicing licenses issued by the board and shall
have been engaged in the practice of beauty culture, barbering or cosmetology
and hairstyling for at least five years prior to their appointments, but shall
not have been engaged in the conduct of or teaching at a licensed school of
beauty culture or cosmetology and hairstyling, and two shall own or operate a
hair braiding shop in this State.�
Of the six members with practicing
licenses issued by the board and the one member licensed by the board as a
teacher, one shall have experience and training in providing services to
individuals with textured hair prior to their appointment.
� The remaining
one member appointed by the board created by this act shall hold a teacher's
license issued by the board and shall have been engaged in the teaching of
beauty culture or cosmetology and hairstyling or shall have been involved in
the conduct of a licensed school of beauty culture or school of cosmetology and
hairstyling in this State for at least five years prior to the appointment.

(cf:
P.L.2018, c.126, s.2)

����� 3.�� (New section) The board
shall establish requirements, as part of the current curriculum provided by
schools licensed pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1984, c.205 (C.45:5B-6), to teach
and train all students preparing for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling,
beauty culture, barbering, and hair braiding, on providing services to
individuals with textured hair.� The requirements shall include training on:

���� a.��� working with hair with
various coil, curl, or wave patterns;

���� b.��� hair strand thickness;
and

���� c.��� volumes of hair.

���� 4. �� (New section) The
examination required of an applicant for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling,
beauty culture, barbering, or hair braiding shall include textured hair as part
of the subject matter upon which the applicant is tested.� The testing shall be
part of the written and practical portions of the examination.�����

���� 5.��� This act shall take
effect on the first day of the seventh month next after enactment, except that
section 3 of this bill shall take effect on the first day of the twenty-fifth
month next after enactment.

STATEMENT

����� This bill requires the New Jersey State Board of
Cosmetology and Hairstyling to establish requirements, as part of the
curriculum provided by schools licensed in the State to teach and train
students in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, and hair
braiding, on working with textured hair.� This includes training on working
with hair with various coil, curl, and wave patterns; hair strand thickness;
and volumes of hair.� The training on textured hair is not intended to expand
the number of hours for the training in each type of profession but instead, is
to be included as part of the current curriculum.�

����� Additionally, the examination required of an
applicant for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering,
or hair braiding is to include textured hair as part of the subject matter
within which the applicant is tested.� The testing is to be part of the written
and practical portions of the examination.� Under the bill, �textured hair� is
defined as
hair that is coiled,
curly, or wavy.

���� Under the bill, one of the
members of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling is
required to have experience and training in providing services to individuals
with textured hair.