SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2495

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 13, 2024

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2495.

      As amended, this bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to establish requirements, as part of the curriculum provided by schools licensed in the State to teach and train students in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, and hair braiding, on working with textured hair.  This includes training on working with hair with various coil, curl, and wave patterns; hair strand thickness; and volumes of hair.  The training on textured hair is not intended to expand the number of hours for the training in each type of profession but instead, be included as part of the current curriculum. 

      Additionally, the examination required of an applicant for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, or hair braiding is to include textured hair as part of the subject matter within which the applicant is tested.  The testing is to be part of the written and practical portions of the examination.  Under the bill, “textured hair” is defined as hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to update the law underlying the provisions of the bill.