Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Professional Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves hair-safety permit for blow-dry shops; sponsors say public-safety training, opponents warn of licensing erosion
Summary
The Utah Senate passed first substitute Senate Bill 87 on Jan. 29, 2021, creating a narrow 'hair safety' permit for blow-dry and styling-only services and subjecting those businesses to Department of Health sanitation oversight; the measure passed 21–8 amid debate about enforcement and impact on cosmetologists.
The Utah State Senate passed first substitute Senate Bill 87 on Jan. 29, 2021, creating a limited hair-safety permit for individuals who provide only shampooing, conditioning, blow-drying and styling. Sponsor Senator Curtis S. Bramble said the measure balances public-safety standards with reduced barriers to entry for limited services.
Supporters said the substitute addresses two primary concerns raised by the cosmetology industry: (1) blow-dry bars and similar limited-service facilities will be subject to the same sanitation standards and enforcement mechanisms as beauty salons under local departments of health; and (2) individuals performing only limited services will obtain a hair-safety permit from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) after completing a short training and test. Bramble said DOPL anticipates a fee in the neighborhood of $20 and a passing score of 75% on the approved exam.
"With this substitute bill, the standards would be, should the bill pass, that a blow dry bar or an individual that's just doing shampooing, conditioning, and styling, they would be subject to the regulation of the Department of Health," Bramble said on the floor.
Senators pressed the sponsor on enforcement, inspection capacity and fiscal impact. Senator Bramble said local health departments already enforce sanitation standards on complaint-driven and routine bases and that the substitute's authors expect DOPL fees to cover any new administrative costs; he described the fiscal note as being processed but projected to be zero net impact.
Opponents cautioned that creating a separate permit could erode existing cosmetology licensure and affect livelihoods. Senator Reebie said she visited salons and heard concerns that limited permits can "trickle into other tasks that they're not licensed and not tested to do," and signaled a no vote on that basis. Other speakers, including Senator Escamilla and Senator Iwamoto, voiced tentative support while urging clarity on enforcement.
On a roll-call vote the substitute passed the Senate 21–8; the bill will be transmitted to the House for further consideration.
