Cosmetology schools and board members oppose AB225 at public town hall

The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology held a public town hall on March 10 to compile comments on Assembly Bill (AB) 225, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Nguyen. The item was presented as a forum for industry stakeholders to provide pro, con or neutral comments; the board clarified it is not the bill sponsor and will forward compiled input to the legislator.

Multiple cosmetology school directors and instructors participated and expressed opposition. Mimi Dolleywall, director of Avalon Institute, said she was "shocked" to see the proposal and warned lowering training hours to 1,000 would "devalue the cosmetology license" and reduce instruction in sanitation and infection prevention. Benita Holly, campus director at Euphoria Institute, said the reduced hours would create "safety and sanitation" concerns and set the industry up for failure.

Representatives of Academy of Hair Design (John Grieco, Sandy Dunham and Donna Green) explained they have operated for decades and said similar deregulation in other states had produced what they described as a breakdown in professionalism and public-safety outcomes. Denise Dixon of the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas recounted experience with deregulation in Mississippi and asked for practical steps stakeholders could take; staff and board members directed commenters to submit written statements as well.

Board staff emphasized they had not summarized the bill for the public to avoid bias and that written comments submitted during the meeting would be compiled and forwarded to Assemblymember Nguyen. Janie Huggins, chief compliance officer, advised that written comments would be accepted until 5 p.m. the same day at inspection@nvcosmo.com and would become part of the meeting record.

Several board members used their member-comments period to voice opposition and urge action. Board Member Harris said she stood in "strong opposition" and warned reduced regulation "puts consumers at risk of scalp infections, hair loss, and cross contamination." Board Member Wold urged industry stakeholders to organize, consider funding for advocacy and incorporate legal and regulatory topics into school curricula so students and licensees can respond when bills are introduced. Board Member O'Brien echoed opposition, saying the bill would undercut the board’s mission "to protect the public health, safety, and welfare."

The town hall concluded with staff repeating how comments could be submitted in writing; board members encouraged colleagues, school owners and licensees to share detailed written comments before the 5 p.m. deadline. The board took no formal position during the meeting; its role was to collect and forward public comment to legislators.