What's happening
This bill requires domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for cosmetology professionals, offering a 10% license fee reduction for completion.
Why it matters
Empowers cosmetology professionals to recognize and respond to signs of domestic violence and sexual assault, potentially making salons safer spaces for vulnerable clients.
Encourages participation in awareness training by offering a tangible financial incentive—a 10% reduction in licensing fees—making it easier for practitioners to access this education.
Protects licensed professionals from civil or criminal liability related to actions or inactions concerning information about domestic violence or sexual assault disclosed during their work, reducing legal fears that might otherwise discourage engagement or intervention.
Mandates that the state develop standardized, annual courses in consultation with the Department of Education, ensuring consistent and quality educational content across the industry.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Salon Worker Abuse Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
96
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAMINSKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to offering domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education to persons engaged in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 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. 1. 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 at least annually. The department, in consultation with the department of education, shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education courses and providers.
2. The department shall issue a certificate of completion to an applicant for a license or renewal of a license pursuant to this article upon satisfactory proof that the applicant has completed at least one hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education.
3. A person licensed under this article who has completed domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education shall not be civilly or criminally liable for acting or failing to act on information obtained during the course of employment concerning potential domestic violence or sexual assault.
§ 2. Section 409 of the general business law is amended by adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03421-01-9
S. 96 2
9. The fee for an application for a license or renewal of a license to engage in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology shall be reduced by ten percent when such application is accompanied by a certificate indicating completion of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education issued pursuant to section four hundred eight-b of this article.
§ 3. 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 offering domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education to persons engaged in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology
Purpose
To expand awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault and to add a new opportunity for victims to be connected to counseling services, safe housing and, where warranted, access to protections and criminal justice services.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 requires the Department of State to work with the Education Department to ensure the availability of training for all licensees and those applying for license renewal. It also requires the issuance of a certificate of completion to those participating and shields the licen- see from civil and criminal liability for acting upon or not acting upon information shared with them regarding domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Section 2 provides for a 10% discount on the licensing/renewal fee when proof of completion of the course is provided with such renewal or initial license.
Justification
This is not a mandated program for persons licensed in this field. The provisions in this bill seek to add an additional pathway for victims of domestic and sexual assault to be recognized, understood and encouraged to seek help. The regular patronization of salon services is a common denominator among the vast majority of victims of these crimes. This is consistent across all socio-economic situations, age, and ethnicity.
The professionals who deliver these services frequently have a good rapport with their customers, a basis of trust has often been estab- lished, and the salon itself can be viewed a safe haven for many victims. Offering education and training to stylists presents a unique opportunity to combat domestic and sexual assault and can ultimately prevent the escalation of a potentially tragic situation.
A 10% reduction in licensing and renewal fees for any applicant who has completed the course is included in the bill.
Legislative history
S.5816- 2017/2018
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
On the 180th day after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.