Committee advances confirmations for Barbers and Cosmetologists board; commissioner outlines complaint process

Hannah Slusser appeared for the governor’s office and asked the Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee to confirm appointees to the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, told senators the board licenses about 14,986 Montanans and processed 40 complaints last year.

Brian Kirkland and Katie Fontana, both nominees, introduced themselves and said they look forward to serving. Kirkland described traveling as a barber and negotiating with other state boards, saying the experience informed his interest in expanding apprenticeship pathways. Commissioner Swanson told the committee how complaints are handled: the department first screens for jurisdiction, then investigators prepare files for a screening panel that evaluates reasonable‑cause findings; the process is private until a reasonable‑cause finding is made and a public adjudication begins.

Senators asked about types of complaints and whether apprenticeship and interstate compact options were being pursued. Swanson said the board is participating in conversations about multistate compacts but noted the current compact lacks minimum licensure standards, making Montana’s participation conditional on establishing baseline requirements.

The committee approved the resolution to confirm the nominees; the motion passed on a voice vote with proxies recorded.