Mansfield Times

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 158, a measure jointly sponsored by State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland). The bill, which received unanimous support, aims to modernize the statutes governing the Cosmetology and Barber Board.

The consolidation of the Cosmetology and Barber Boards in 2017 necessitated updates to the law that had not been adequately addressed. The House accepted several amendments from the Senate:

- Amendments to Senate Bill 89, incorporating the Cosmetology Licensure Compact into the bill.

- A specification that the minimum passing score for the barber examination cannot exceed 75%.

- Authorization for the Secretary of State to appoint police officers for hospitals operated by public or nonprofit hospital agencies, as well as certain for-profit hospitals with historical ties to nonprofit status.

"The updates included in House Bill 158 will reduce barriers for students getting their barbering and cosmetology licenses," said Roemer. "These changes will lead to better opportunities for barbers, cosmetologists, customers, and businesses."

"Since the State Boards of Cosmetology and Barbering were combined into one board in 2017, we have seen the need to harmonize sections of the Ohio Revised Code on Cosmetology and Barbering," said Miller. "I am confident that these changes will encourage growth within Ohio's Barber and Cosmetology industry."

Key provisions of House Bill 158 include:

- Creating a unified barbering/cosmetology school license to eliminate duplicative applications.

- Enhancing license reciprocity from other states.

- Reducing fines for disciplinary actions.

- Establishing temporary pre-examination work permits for barbers.

- Lowering the age requirement to apply for a barber license or start barbering school to 16 years old.

- Eliminating an additional 200-hour training requirement before re-taking licensing exams.

- Preventing interest or penalty fees on unpaid fines.

- Creating an independent contractor license and eliminating “shop within a shop” licenses.

- Creating a process to designate a license as “inactive.”

- Allowing the board to independently set passing scores for exams.

The legislation does not alter current training hour requirements for initial licensure.

House Bill 158 now awaits Governor DeWine’s signature.

For more information, please contact Rep. Roemer’s office at (614) 644-5085 or Rep. Miller’s office at (614) 466-0961.