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SB 183 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; natural hair styling exempt from regulation

SB 183 exempts natural hair styling and hair braiding/weaving from Alabama's cosmetology licensing requirements. The bill removes these services from the definition of "cosmetology" and repeals all licensing rules for "natural hair stylists," including examination requirements. This directly affects natural hair stylists who previously needed state licenses to perform services like braiding, weaving, or styling without chemical treatments, coloring, or cutting. The law changes existing code to reflect that these practices no longer require regulation by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 2026
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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Apr 16, 2026
MODERATE
This bill removes hair braiding and weaving from the legal definition of cosmetology and exempts natural hair styling from regulation by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Consequently, individuals no longer need a state license to perform these specific services, although they may voluntarily choose to obtain one. The bill also repeals previous requirements for natural hair stylist examinations and licensing.
Scope change
The bill significantly narrows the scope of the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering by excluding natural hair styling (braiding and weaving) from its regulatory authority.
REQUIREMENT

Eliminates the mandatory licensing requirement for individuals performing natural hair styling, such as braiding and weaving.

Repeals the specific section requiring qualifications and examinations for natural hair stylist licenses.

DEFINITION

Removes braiding and weaving from the statutory definition of 'cosmetology'.

Updates the definitions of 'cosmetology' and related terms to reflect the removal of braiding and weaving.

ELIGIBILITY

Allows individuals who previously met natural hair stylist requirements to voluntarily acquire a license if they choose.

TECHNICAL

Includes nonsubstantive technical revisions to update the code language to current style.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
3
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Colman Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1220
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1201
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1200
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Introduced
Drummond 1st Amendment Offered
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 340
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Healthcare)
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.