Hair braiding license exemption proposed

Natural hair braiding would be exempt from cosmetology credentialing requirements under a bill heard Jan. 20 by the Health and Human Services Committee.

Omaha Sen. Nicole Fox, sponsor of LB898, said the bill would remove a regulatory barrier for potential operators of natural hair braiding businesses.

LB898 defines natural hair braiding as a service of twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding hair by hand or with mechanical devices without the application of dyes, reactive chemicals, chemical joining agents or other preparations to alter the color or structure of the hair.

Currently in Nebraska, operators who braid natural hair must graduate from a school of cosmetology and complete 2,100 hours of training.

Fox said that there have been no public health issues relating to braiding in states that do not license the practice. In addition, she said, licensing something as common and safe as hair braiding creates an artificial barrier to entrepreneurs.

“This bill is a good first step in allowing hardworking Nebraskans the ability to earn an honest living free from unreasonable government regulations,” Fox said.

Brandy McMorris of Omaha testified in support of the bill, saying that current licensing requirements have kept her from opening a hair-braiding business.

“I’ve never had anybody in my family who’s started their own business,” she said, “and it’s always been a dream of mine.”

Jessica Herrmann, testifying on behalf of the Platte Institute for Economic Research, also supported the bill. Eleven states have exempted braiders from cosmetology requirements, she said, as most of the courses required for the degree have nothing to do with hair braiding.

In addition, Herrmann said, a cosmetology degree costs as much as $20,000 and a student must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in a cosmetology program.

“This is a major hurdle for those who are trying to begin a professional career without certain educational and socioeconomic advantages,” she said.

No opposition testimony was offered and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.