SB 2876 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

SB 2876 would exempt natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when they meet specific conditions. This bill directly affects individuals who practice natural hair braiding as a profession, removing a mandatory licensing barrier they currently face. The key provision eliminates the need for a state license for braiders operating under defined circumstances outlined in the bill. The policy change focuses on simplifying regulatory requirements for this specific service.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2876_CD1 → SB2876_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts natural hair braiders from requiring a full cosmetology license to a simpler registration system, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens. It sets a specific start date for registration and mandates that the state board create safety training rules by late 2026. The effective date for the entire law was changed to July 1, 3000, likely as a placeholder or error, while the description was updated to reflect the new HD1 version.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from requiring a full license to requiring only registration for natural hair braiders, and it explicitly exempts them from cosmetology training in areas like nail care and makeup.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for natural hair braiders from obtaining a full license to simply registering with the board.

Modified the text regarding student work signs to include bracketed deletions, suggesting a change in how sign dimensions or letter sizes are enforced.

TIMELINE

Added a specific deadline of November 1, 2026, for the board to adopt rules for required sanitation and safety courses.

Changed the effective date of the Act from its approval to July 1, 3000.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the fine structure text to include bracketed deletions, altering the phrasing of penalties for violations.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 91-26) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 91-26).

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lamosao, Keohokalole, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-29-26 3:45PM in conference room 224.

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 711).

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPC, referral sheet 16

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 83).

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-25-26 9:32AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPN.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors