ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2495

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 18, 2025

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2495 (2R).

      As reported, this bill requires the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (board) 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, is to 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. 

      Finally, the bill would require one of the board members to have experience and training in providing services to individuals with textured hair.  Under the bill, “textured hair” is defined as hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 2495 (2R) is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3882 (1R), which was also reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.