Cosmetology Licensure Compact.

Existing law, the Barbering and Cosmetology Act, establishes in the Department of Consumer Affairs the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology. A violation of the act is a misdemeanor, unless otherwise provided. Existing law requires the board to grant a license to an applicant who holds a current license to practice issued by another state that is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted and is in good standing, upon submission of a completed application form and fees. This bill would enact the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, the purpose of which is to facilitate the interstate practice and regulation of cosmetology. The compact would require the board to grant a multistate license to practice cosmetology to an applicant who meets specified eligibility requirements, including holding an active and unencumbered license to practice cosmetology issued by the board in this state. The compact would require the state to recognize a multistate license issued by each member state as authorizing the licensee to practice cosmetology in this state. The compact would require the board to select a delegate to serve on the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission, a joint governmental agency consisting of all member states that have enacted the compact, and would enact specified provisions relating to the establishment, operation, powers, and duties of the commission. The compact would specify procedures for the adoption of rules by the commission for purposes of implementing and administering the compact and would state that the rules of the commission shall have the force of law, except as specified. The compact would require the board to take specified actions relating to the administration and enforcement of the compact, including receiving complaints about individuals practicing cosmetology and communicating investigative information about any adverse action to the other member states through a data system, as specified. The compact would authorize the board to charge a fee to grant a multistate license or for the renewal of a multistate license. The bill would authorize the commission to levy and collect an annual assessment from the state and impose fees on licensees of member states to whom it grants a multistate license to cover the cost of operations and activities of the commission. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime under the act to holders of multistate licenses practicing in this state, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.