Barbering and cosmetology.

Under existing law, the Barbering and Cosmetology Act, the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licenses and regulates persons engaged in the practice of barbering and cosmetology. Existing law also requires an establishment in which barbering and cosmetology is practiced to be licensed by the board. This bill would authorize applicants for a license issued by the board, and board licensees to report gender, language preference, and ethnicity information, as specified, in initial applications for licensure and in license renewal forms. The bill would also authorize applicants for an establishment license and establishment licensees to report this same information in the same manner. The bill would further require the board to compile this information quarterly and, subject to specified limitations, to post it on the board's Internet Web site. The bill would require the initial application and license renewal forms to state, among other things, that reporting this information is voluntary and no adverse action shall be taken against an applicant or licensee that does not report this information. The bill would declare the intent of the Legislature in this regard.