BILL ENCOURAGING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENACTED BY SENATE

Current regulatory barriers prevent people from starting their own hair braiding businesses

AUGUSTA –  A measure that would allow individuals who provide only hair braiding services to be exempt from barbering and cosmetology licensure requirements was unanimously enacted by the Maine Senate today.

Sen. Anne Haskell of Portland

“I see this bill as an opportunity for state government to get out of the way of entrepreneurs wishing to open small businesses that are culturally important and pose no threat to public health and safety,” said Senator Anne Haskell of Portland, the sponsor of the bill. “In a free and open market, natural hair care would have great potential for entrepreneurial and employment opportunities by providing popular services and products to consumers.”

The bill, LD 847, “An Act To Permit Hair Braiding without a Barbering or Cosmetology License” was unanimously supported by the Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development Committee.

Hair braiding is currently regulated within the department of cosmetology, and the required license is burdensome and not applicable to someone who wants only to braid hair. Traditional hair braiding does not use harmful chemicals and therefore avoids the serious damage that can occur when hair is treated with chemicals and other artificial products.

Nationwide, natural hair care has grown into a multi-million dollar industry.

“This is economic development at its best,” added Senator Haskell. “The bill provides a means for new Americans to take the first steps up the economic ladder and to help others up the ladder as well.”

Karen Mills, former SBA Administrator, reports that immigrants are two times more likely to start a business than native citizens. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reported in 2013 that Hispanic and Asian businesses alone contribute nearly $400 million dollars to Maine’s economy and they employ over 3,000 people.

During the public hearing, the Committee heard from Mariama Jallow, a new Mainer, originally from the Gambia in West Africa, “There are a lot of African ladies like me who want to start their own businesses and earn an honest living. These licensing restrictions are preventing us from showing our skills and joining the small business community in Portland.”

The measure received support from the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Small Business Advocate’s office, CEI, a community development institution, among others.

The measure will now go to the Governor for his consideration to become law.