Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cosmetology school programs were required by the state to deliver all instruction in-person.  However, once the pandemic hit and businesses and schools had to temporarily close this past spring, the State Board of Cosmetology provided cosmetology schools temporary flexibilities to offer online and/or other remote learning options.  Through this opportunity, many schools reported positive results and would like to continue to have this flexibility for theory-based curriculum after the pandemic is over.

Therefore, in the near future, I plan to introduce legislation amending the Cosmetology Law of 1933 to provide schools that offer cosmetology programs the ability to offer up to 50% of the program through online and/or other remote instruction.  This flexibility would only be for hours in the curriculum that are theory-based content; practical “hands-on” hours in the curriculum would not have this flexibility and would still be required to be delivered through in-person instruction.  The bill will also allow some flexibility in teacher-to-student ratios for the hours delivered remotely, but existing teacher-to-student ratios would remain in place for in-person instruction.

Cosmetology programs require a significant amount of “hands-on” practical education and experience. However, there are theory-based portions of the curriculum that do not require a student to be on campus at a set time. The mostly adult student populations at these schools are often working full-time or part-time jobs while they pursue their education and often times, they have other responsibilities to balance such as raising a family.  Providing this flexibility will enable our constituents to complete their education and enter the workforce in the timeframe they planned.

Thank you in advance for your support and consideration.