Hair Braiding Licensing Modernization Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Janeese Lewis George

Hair braiders who only braid (no dyes, chemicals, or cutting) would no longer need a cosmetology license or Board of Barber and Cosmetology regulation.

Referred to Committee on Public Works and Operations

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to modernize District of Columbia licensing by removing hair braiding from the cosmetology licensing framework.

It defines hair braiding as a distinct practice from cosmetology and clarifies that a person who engages solely in hair braiding does not need a cosmetology license.

The goal is to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, support entrepreneurship, and align DC with peer jurisdictions that treat hair braiding as separate from cosmetology.

Key provisions and changes

Definition and regulatory scope

Adds a precise definition of "hair braiding" to exclude application of dyes, reactive chemicals, and cutting of hair.
Removes hair braiding from the definition of cosmetology in DC law.
Removes hair braiding from the regulatory authority of the Board of Barber and Cosmetology.

Licensing requirements

Clarifies that individuals engaged solely in hair braiding do not need a cosmetology license under DC law.

Statutory amendments

Amends Section 47-2853.01 to include a new paragraph defining hair braiding (twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding of hair, with natural or synthetic fibers; excludes chemical treatments and cutting).
Amends Section 47-2853.04(a)(13) to expressly except hair braiding from certain licensing language.
Amends Section 47-2853.06(c) to reflect updated scope by removing references to braiding within a list of regulated activities.
Amends Section 47-2853.81 to adjust terminology related to hair services, removing references to braiding and aligning phrasing with “coloring” and related practices.

Fiscal and effective date

The bill references the fiscal impact statement already provided in the committee report.
Effective date: The act takes effect after the Mayor’s approval (or Council action to override a veto) and a 30-day congressional review period as required by the DC Home Rule Act.

Who is affected

Hair braiders who work solely in hair braiding (without applying dyes, chemicals, or cutting) would no longer need a cosmetology license.

Individuals and businesses currently regulated by the Board of Barber and Cosmetology for hair braiding activities may see changes in licensing requirements and regulatory oversight.

The District’s occupational licensing framework would reflect a clearer distinction between hair braiding and broader cosmetic services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: April 23, 2026 by Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (co-sponsored by Charles Allen and Robert C. White, Jr.).

Action history:

Referred to the Committee on Public Works and Operations on May 5, 2026.
Original introduction on April 23, 2026.

Next steps: Committee consideration, potential floor passage, and final enactment, followed by mayoral approval and congressional review as required.

Overall impact

The bill is intended to reduce regulatory barriers for hair braiders by explicitly exempting them from cosmetology licensing and removing hair braiding from the Board’s regulatory authority.

It aligns DC practice with other states that treat hair braiding as a separate occupation, potentially promoting entrepreneurship and clearer health-safety focus for services that involve no chemical processing or cutting.

Bill