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Minutes for SB348 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Exempting the practice of threading from the practice of cosmetology.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 7, 2022
Sam MacRoberts, Litigation Director and General Counsel, Kansas Justice Institute (KJI), provided testimony in support of SB348 (Attachment 7). The KJI is a non-profit, public interest litigation firm committed to defending against government overreach and abuse and is currently challenging the constitutionality of the Kansas' threading license regime. Eyebrow threading is an ancient, safe and all-natural grooming practice that involves the temporary removal of eyebrow hair with a single strand of cotton thread. Kansas requires aspiring threaders to take at least 1,000 hours of instruction in a curriculum established by the Board of Cosmetology. It also requires two expensive and time consuming licensure examinations. The cost can be more than $16,000. The licensing regime criminalizes using sanitary thread to remove a single eyebrow, without a license. SB348 creates a threading specific infection control measure to ensure customer safety. The bill removes a needless, unreasonable, and burdensome occupational licensing requirement for a grooming technique that is already safe.
Mr. MacRoberts responded to questions from the committee.
John Lueth, Deputy State Director, American for Prosperity Kansas, provided testimony in support of SB348 (Attachment 8). SB348 eliminates unnecessary government licensing barriers for people to earn income through threading. Kansas is requiring a full license in cosmetology for an occupation and skill that is not taught in any cosmetology school in the state. We would like an exemption that was extended to hair braiders which has been on the books for approximately seven years in the state. Mr. Lueth stated that this bill provides individuals an opportunity to earn a living.
Jessica Poitras, Legislative Counsel, Institute for Justice, provided testimony in support of SB348 (Attachment 9). The Institute of Justice has, for nearly 30 years, helped reform the beauty industry licensing laws in over 24 states through litigation and legislation. The support of the bill is for three reasons. First, the process is safe. Second, esthetician program curricula rarely covers threading skills. Third, SB348 is a jobs bill.
Ms. Poitras responded to questions from the committee.
The following provided Written-only proponent testimony:
Wendy Doyle, President & CEO, United WE (Attachment 10)
Arif Karowalia, Private Citizen (Attachment 11)
Christie Kriegshauser, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 12)
