Committee approves omnibus cosmetology bill to modernize licensing and allow natural hair braiders in salons

The House Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations approved House Bill 885, an omnibus measure to update Kentucky's cosmetology statute.

Sponsor Representative Deanna Gordon introduced the bill and asked board representatives to present details. Eden Davis Stevens, general counsel for the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology, and Joanie Upurch, executive director for the board, said the bill provides technical cleanup to align statute with current administrative regulations, addresses emerging practice areas and clarifies services performed within licensed facilities.

Board counsel said the measure would allow the board to pursue regulatory changes such as two-year license renewals and would provide a regulatory pathway for practitioners who perform natural hair braiding so they may work on salon staffs rather than being treated as unlicensed workers or confined to separate rooms. "This would allow them to work in facilities as staff under those salon owners... It's just a safety and sanitation course to protect the public," a board representative said.

Committee members moved and seconded the bill; the clerk conducted a roll call and Chairman Cook announced that "House Bill 885 passes" and that it "should pass on the House floor." The committee recorded multiple affirmative votes during the roll call; no committee amendments were identified in the hearing transcript.

The board and sponsor said the changes are intended to modernize statutory language to reflect both industry needs and the board's existing regulatory work. Next steps: HB 885 will be scheduled for House-floor consideration.