SB53 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering by repealing Chapter 7A and establishing new Chapter 7B of Title 34, expanding the board's jurisdiction to include barbering, estheticians, manicurists, and natural hairstylists.

• Establishes a 7-member board consisting of 2 cosmetologists, 2 barbers, 1 esthetician, 1 manicurist, and 1 consumer, with members appointed by the Governor from congressional districts and serving 4-year terms with a 2-term limit.

• Defines 25 regulated occupations and practices including barber, barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, manicure, natural hair styling, and threading, and establishes specific licensure and training hour requirements for each profession.

• Sets penalties for unlicensed practice at $500 fine or up to 30 days imprisonment for individuals, and up to $1,000 fine for corporations; authorizes the board to assess administrative fines up to $750 per violation.

• Requires schools to maintain $50,000 bonds to protect students, employ qualified instructors (1 per 20 students), maintain daily and cumulative student records, and comply with state and local building codes.