Bill
HB 3356
HB 3356 removes the hair-braiding license, updates the act title, allows incarcerated practice to count toward licensure, and schedules repeal of the act on Jan 1, 2026.
Status summary
- Introduced: Feb 2025 (Rep. Carol Ammons). Chief Senate sponsor: Sen. Christopher Belt.
- Passage actions: Passed the Illinois House (3rd reading 5/22/2025); received Senate amendments and was returned for concurrence. Multiple committee hearings and amendments occurred. (See legislative actions for chronology.)
- Effective date: The bill’s synopsis states “Effective immediately.” The bill also amends the State’s Regulatory Sunset Act listing (see below), which affects the scheduled repeal of related statutes on Jan 1, 2026.
Purpose and intent
- To remove hair braiding from the state licensing regime and related statutory framework, reduce regulatory barriers to hair-braiding practice, and make conforming statutory changes. The bill is titled the Hair Braiding Opportunity Act.
Key provisions
- Removes hair braiding licensure provisions from the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985:
- Deletes statutory definitions, licensing categories, teacher classifications, and other provisions that specifically govern “licensed hair braider” and “licensed hair braiding teacher.”
- Renames the underlying Act to the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 (removing "Hair Braiding" from the statutory title) and updates cross‑references throughout Illinois law.
- Conforming statutory edits:
- Amends the Massage Therapy Practice Act and other sections that reference the former Act to reflect the removal of hair braiding from that statute.
- Adjusts Board membership language and related regulatory references in the amended cosmetology statute sections.
- Licensing and application processing for people who are or were incarcerated:
- Prohibits automatic holds/delays/denials of applications to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) solely because the applicant is incarcerated.
- Requires DFPR to consider supervised practice performed while incarcerated when evaluating qualifications for licensure (for covered professions).
- Sunset/Scheduling change:
- Alters the Regulatory Sunset Act listing (5 ILCS 80/4.36) to include the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 among statutes scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2026. (This change appears as part of the bill text; the bill simultaneously removes hair‑braiding provisions and amends sunset listings.)
Who would be affected
- Hair-braiding practitioners: individuals who previously needed a hair‑braiding license under state law; upon enactment, they would no longer be required to hold that specific license (pending implementation and any remaining local rules).
- Salons and cosmetology schools: curriculum, teacher qualifications, and program requirements tied to state hair‑braiding licensure would change; schools may revise programs and enrollment contracts accordingly.
- Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Barber/Cosmetology Board: changes to scope of oversight, membership references, and licensing workloads; potential adjustments to licensing fees and enforcement responsibilities.
- Consumers: shift in regulatory oversight for hair-braiding services; consumer protections that were tied specifically to hair‑braiding licensure may be altered.
- Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated applicants: potential easier access to licensure in covered professions due to non‑automatic holds and recognition of supervised in‑custody practice.
Procedural / timing notes
- The bill underwent committee substitution and several floor and senate amendments. A Senate floor amendment was adopted (Sen. Belt). House and Senate amendments adjust timing or specific text in places.
- The bill’s text includes both an immediate-effect clause (per the bill synopsis) and an amendment to the Regulatory Sunset Act listing the original Act for repeal effective January 1, 2026. Readers should watch for implementing rules from DFPR and any follow-up legislation clarifying the interplay between immediate statutory changes and the sunset scheduling.
Related legislation
- Companion: SB 715.
Implications (practical)
- The statute redefines the regulatory scope for hair‑braiding in Illinois by eliminating a state-level licensing requirement and making multiple conforming statutory edits. Implementation details (how DFPR and local authorities will transition, consumer protection mechanisms, and effects on schools and existing licensees) will depend on administrative guidance and any subsequent legislation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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