JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Republican-led House of Representative brought up newly perfected hair braiding bill and overwhelmingly passed the legislation.
In a bipartisan effort, the House seemed to agree that requiring hair braiders to be licensed by the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners was over regulation by government.
“You shouldn’t have to go to cosmetology school to braid hair,” Rep. Deb Lavender said.
Though Lavender, along with a few others, found the lack educational requirements in any form not up to standard. She said she understands the need to avoid over regulation but they “also need to think about the clients.”
Rep. Shamed Dogan, the sponsor of HB 1500, said, “this overturns burdens that strangle hair braiders.”
The bill requires hair braiders to pay $25 state registration and complete a self-test about diseases and infection control.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
