Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/16/2015 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB131 | |
| HCR10 | |
| SB107 | |
| HB41 | |
| HB123 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 131-LICENSURE OF MANICURISTS/HAIR DRESSING
2:54:26 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of HB 131.: "An Act
relating to the licensure of nail technicians and hairdressers;
relating to the practice of manicuring; and providing for an
effective date." [HB 131 AM was before the committee.]
2:54:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, sponsor of HB 131, stated that HB
131, as amended, improves the licensing process for nail
technicians. Under current statute, nail technicians are able to
apply for a manicurist license, which requires a 12 hour class
or an advanced manicurist license, which requires 250 hours of
course work and a final examination. HB 131 would create a
single catchall nail technician license that would require 250
hours of course work and a final examination. This is
appropriate since the industry has evolved and requires a truly
skilled workforce. Nail technicians are expected to use drills
and other electric tools and manipulate fiberglass, acetone and
other chemicals that come in contact with the customer's body.
There is a health and safety liability associated with this
industry that is generally overlooked by the general public. She
directed attention to the packets that contain pictures
depicting some of the complications that can occur. She
emphasized that it is not possible to teach the needed hygiene
and safety standards and gain needed technical knowledge in a
12-hour one time class.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS stated that this is the third year that
the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers asked her to carry this
legislation and over time she has come to realize that it is a
matter of health and safety. She does not believe that
government should dictate how businesses are run, but there has
to be a balance between the free market and health and safety.
Forty-eight other states require from 100 to 600 hours of course
work for licensure and many require written examinations.
Twenty-two of those states require over 400 hours of course
work. Hairdresser and esthetician licensing requirements in
Alaska have already transitioned to higher standards.
Hairdressers need 1,650 hours of experience and must take a
written and practical examination to receive a license. These
requirements have not kept the 2,500 hairdressers in Alaska from
getting their license.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS concluded that HB 131 is a health and
safety bill. It not only aligns Alaska's licensing requirements
with other states but also makes the licensing requirements more
appropriate for the skillset required in this industry. An added
bonus is that this bill provides license reciprocity with other
states.
2:59:50 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how long a person has to complete the
course work.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS said the people that are currently working
in the field have until August 31, 2017 to complete the course
work and take the national test.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked for an explanation of the fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS stated that it is a zero fiscal note.
3:01:24 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened public testimony on HB 131.
3:01:45 PM
DEANNA PRUHS, Member, Board of Barbers and Hairdressers,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), testified in support of HB 131. She reported that she
has been a licensed hairdresser in Alaska for 30 years of the 34
years she has worked in the profession. Three years ago she was
appointed to the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, which
oversees hairdressers, barbers, estheticians, body piercing,
tattoo artists, permanent cosmetics, and manicurists.
Manicurists represent 1,200 of the 7,500 in this group and are
the only ones that do not take a state board examination. She
described the examination and professional license as important
to show competency. The current manicurist license is misleading
and could jeopardize the health and safety of the consumer
paying for the service. She urged the committee to pass the bill
and bring the nail technician license up to national standards.
JEANNINE JABAAY, public member, State Board of Barbers and
Hairdressers, testified in support of HB 131. She stated that
she was appointed to the board two years ago and became aware
that the requirements for manicurists and nail technicians are
woefully inadequate. The 12 hours required to become a nail
technician only covers the sanitation of tools. The advanced
manicurist license requires 250 hours of education and a written
examination. The bill seeks to eliminate the virtually useless
nail technician license and instead change the current
manicurist license to a nail technician license that covers the
250 hours. This new requirement will better educate these
professionals, better protect the public and give reciprocity
for those that are currently licensed in Alaska. The curriculum
and examination is already owned by the state and therefore the
fiscal impact to the state is zero.
GLENDA LEDFORD, Member, State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), testified in support of HB 131. She stated that the 250
hours of education called for in HB 131 would provide the
necessary time to adequately train nail technicians to perform
their duties in a professional and safe manner. This bill would
also give licenses that other states would recognize and give
reciprocity. The licensing requirements set forth in HB 131
would place the state near the lower middle compared to other
states. She stated that as a practitioner and instructor HB 131
will not present a hardship on current licensees because they
will have more than two years to take the course and pass the
examination. She urged the committee to pass the bill noting
that the board has been working on it for eight years.
3:13:12 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO found no further testifiers and closed public
testimony
3:13:31 PM
SENATOR MEYER motioned to report HB 131 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR COSTELLO announced that without objection HB 131 AM is
reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.