What's happening
This bill requires domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for cosmetology, nail, waxing, esthetics, and natural hair professionals in New York.
Why it matters
Positions beauty professionals as frontline allies. By providing domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education to cosmetologists, nail techs, and others, the bill recognizes that these professionals often develop trusting relationships with clients, potentially allowing them to recognize signs of abuse and help connect victims to resources.
Mandates collaboration with subject matter experts. The curriculum must be developed in consultation with the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and a federally recognized advocacy group, ensuring that educational content is expert-informed, up-to-date, and relevant to a diverse range of communities.
Expands ongoing access and education. Not only are new license applicants required to receive this training, but current professionals renewing their licenses will also be notified of voluntary awareness courses, promoting continued education and awareness in the industry over time.
Promotes statewide, accessible resources. Courses and educational materials will be available online through the Department’s website, making information broadly accessible and supporting uniform standards for awareness training across New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Salon Abuse Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A57
- Ordered to third reading cal.1444
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Teach Salon Workers Abuse Awareness
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6307
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BENJAMIN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for persons engaged in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics and cosmetology
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 403 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 339 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
3. The advisory committee shall advise the secretary on all matters relating to this article, and on such other matters as the secretary shall request. In advising the secretary on matters concerning professional education or curriculum, inclusive of the maintenance of cultural and ethnic awareness within the prescribed curriculum in regard to hair types, including, but not limited to, curl pattern, hair strand thickness, and volume of hair, the advisory committee shall, to the extent practicable, consult with the state education department. The advisory committee is directed, in consultation with the department of state, the New York state office for the prevention of domestic violence and an advocacy group recognized by the federal department of health and human services, which has the ability to coordinate statewide and with local communities on programming and educational materials related to the prevention and intervention of domestic violence in New York state, to develop, provide for and integrate awareness training on domestic violence and sexual assault for all prospective students seeking to be licensed under this article. Further, on a voluntary basis for those seeking to renew their license as provided for in this article to develop and provide access to educational material for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01833-01-9
S. 6307 2
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 408 of the general business law, as amended by section 1 of part Y of chapter 60 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
6. Any license, which has not been suspended or revoked, may, upon the payment of the renewal fee, be renewed for additional periods of four years from its application, without further examination, upon the filing of an application for such renewal, on a form to be prescribed by the secretary. When an applicant seeks to renew their license, the department shall notify applicants of voluntary domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education courses that can be accessed through the department's website.
§ 3. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 408-b to read as follows:
§ 408-b. Domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education. The department shall ensure that domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education courses are made available to all licensees and applicants for a license or renewal pursuant to this article and that such courses are offered through the department's website. The department, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence and an advocacy group recognized by the federal department of health and human services, which has the ability to coordinate statewide and with local communities on programming and educational materials related to the prevention and intervention of domestic violence in New York state, shall develop and provide access to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education courses appropriate for those licensed under this article.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for persons engaged in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics and cosmetology
Purpose
This bill requires the Department of State to make available to appear- ance enhancement professionals a one-hour training course in domestic violence and sexual assault education as part of their license renewal process.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision 1 of section 406 of the general business law by adding a new paragraph.
Section two amends subdivision 6 of section 408 of the general business law, as amended by section 1 of part Y of chapter 60 of the laws of 2011.
Section three amends the general business law by adding a new section 408-b. Section four sets forth the effective date.
Justification
In the United States, nearly 20 individuals experience physical domestic abuse per minute. Domestic abusers and those who commit sexual assault heavily monitor the whereabouts and daily interactions of their partners as a way to control their victim. However, most domestic abuse and sexu- al assault victims are not monitored during trips to beauty salons. Those in the beauty industry, such as hair stylists, nail specialists, and other cosmetologists, build close relationships with their clients through routine visits. These relationships may result in the disclosure of personal information from clients, as their stylist serves as a neutral party.
This bill would provide appearance enhancement professionals with the opportunity to complete a voluntary one-hour training course in domestic violence and sexual assault, as part of their license renewal process. This course would provide instruction on how to help victims in danger- ous situations and provide them with the appropriate resources to seek help. This training would not require reports of incidents to law enforcement, but rather provide education and increased awareness to appearance enhancement professionals. The department shall be required to make this training available to all licensees and applicants for a license or renewal.
As the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault persists, it is imperative that New York find creative ways to effectively address the issue. To date, a similar bill has become law in Illinois. This bill will empower victims to seek help and escape the cycle of abuse without fear of detrimental repercussions.
This bill would require appearance enhancement professionals to complete a one-hour training course in domestic violence and sexual assault, as part of their license renewal process. This course would provide instruction on how to help victims in dangerous situations and provide them with the appropriate resources to seek help. This training would not require reports of incidents to law enforcement, but rather provide education and increased awareness to appearance enhancement professionals.
As the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault persists, it is imperative that New York find creative ways to effectively address the issue. To date, a similar bill has become law in Illinois. This bill will empower victims to seek help and escape the cycle of abuse without fear of detrimental repercussions.
Legislative history
2017-18: A.6576-B - Advanced to Third Reading; S.9028-A - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.