Barbering and cosmetology.

Existing law, the Barbering and Cosmetology Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of barbers and cosmetologists by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology in the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law includes in the practice of barbering, among other things, hairstyling of all textures of hair by standard methods that are current at the time of the hairstyling, and includes among the practice of hairstyling massaging, cleaning, or stimulating the scalp, face, and neck by various means. Existing law provides that a violation of the act is a crime, unless otherwise provided, and prohibits a person, firm, or corporation from engaging in barbering, cosmetology, or electrolysis for compensation without a valid, unexpired license issued by the board. This bill would authorize a person to engage in barbering, cosmetology, or electrolysis for compensation without a license if the person is participating in an externship program from an approved school. The bill would remove massaging, cleaning, or stimulating the scalp, face, and neck from the practice of hairstyling and would add extending the hair of any person to the practice of hairstyling. Because this bill expands the scope of the practice of hairstyling, thus expanding the application of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law authorizes the board to license as an apprentice in barbering, cosmetology, skin care, or nail care any person who has met specified requirements, and requires an applicant for a barbering apprenticeship to additionally complete a minimum of 39 hours of preapprentice training that is administered by the board. This bill would instead require that barbering preapprentice training be administered by the board for the length of time established by the board in a facility approved by the board prior to serving the general public. Existing law requires a course in barbering or cosmetology to consist of not less than 1,000 hours of practical and technical instruction in the practice of barbering or cosmetology and requires an electrolysis course to consist of not less than 600 hours of practical training and technical instruction, as specified. Existing law authorizes a student who is enrolled in an approved course of instruction in a school of barbering to, upon completion of a minimum of 60 percent of the clock hours required for graduation in the course, work as an unpaid extern in an establishment participating in the educational program of the school. This bill would specify the subjects that would be required to be included in the electrolysis course curriculum. The bill would authorize a student to work as an extern upon completion of a minimum of 25 percent of the clock hours required for graduation in the course and change limitations on clock hour credit, and would expand this provision beyond unpaid externships to apply to externships generally. Existing law requires an establishment licensed by the board to post a notice in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean regarding specified workplace rights and wage and hour laws in a conspicuous location in clear view of employees and where similar notices are customarily posted, and requires the board to inspect an establishment for compliance with that requirement when it conducts the inspection of the establishment within 90 days after issuing the establishment a license, as specified. This bill would instead require the board to inspect an establishment for compliance with that notice requirement when it conducts an inspection to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations of the Barbering and Cosmetology Act and any health and safety requirements adopted by the board. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.