Senate Bill 87 (SB 87) was introduced in January 2021 during this legislative session. The bill sought to exempt from licensure individuals in Utah who shampoo, condition, dry, style, arrange, dress, hot iron, or curl the hair. On March 16, 2021, the governor signed SB 87 into law.
In February, AHP wrote to the Utah legislature expressing our concerns regarding SB 87—our most pressing being the safety implications for the public and financial implications for licensed hair professionals. Amendments were made to the bill, including the addition of a required two-hour test. The following is a summary of the final version of the bill:
- Unlicensed individuals who perform the above-mentioned services must receive a hair safety permit upon completing a two-hour hair safety program approved by the division. The program must be offered by a division-approved provider and individuals must receive a passing score of 75 percent. The hair safety permit must be displayed in the person’s place of business along with a sign that notifies the public that their services are not provided by a licensed individual.
- In addition, these individuals cannot cut, dye, or apply “reactive chemicals to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair.”
SB 87 will be effective in early May 2021, 60 days after March 6, 2021, the last day of the legislative session. The Utah Board of Cosmetology will create the new rules and the new hair safety test before everything goes into effect. AHP expects to be able to participate in the rule-making process and will keep you informed as this moves forward. Watch our legislative updates page and email us at gr@associatedhairprofessionals.com if you have questions.