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Bill

HB 2676

Relating to abnormal skin growth education for certain occupational license holders and to the liability of those license holders and their employers for certain medical referrals.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Vikki Goodwin

HB 2676 mandates skin growth education for Texas beauty professionals and shields them from liability when referring suspicious lesions to doctors.

Referred to Public Health
#barbers(s6907) #chiropractic&chiropractors(s2679) #chiropracticexaminers #texasboardof(v0344) #cosmetologists(s9799) #health--otherdiseases&medicalconditions(i0383) #licensing&regulation #texascommissionof(v0383) #massagetherapy&massagetherapists(s1298) #occupationalregulation--othertrades&professions(i0541)
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Bill Summary · HB 2676

Legislative bill overview

HB 2676 requires certain occupational license holders (likely cosmetologists, barbers, and estheticians) to receive education about recognizing abnormal skin growths and requires them to refer clients to medical professionals when suspicious lesions are identified. The bill also establishes liability protections for these licensees and their employers when making good-faith medical referrals.

Why is this important

Early detection of skin cancer and other serious skin conditions significantly improves treatment outcomes. By training frontline beauty professionals who frequently observe clients' skin, the bill aims to create an additional layer of early-warning detection. This leverages an existing touchpoint in public health while protecting practitioners from liability concerns that might otherwise discourage them from speaking up about potential health risks.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of liability protection: Questions remain about how broadly liability shields apply—do they protect against all referral-related claims or only those meeting specific "good faith" standards, and what happens if a referral causes psychological harm or unnecessary medical costs?
  • Training requirements and costs: The bill's silence on who funds the education mandate (state, licensing boards, or individual practitioners) and whether it requires specific curricula could create compliance burdens.
  • Regulatory overreach concerns: Some may argue the bill expands the scope of occupational licenses beyond their traditional expertise, potentially creating false confidence in non-medical professionals' diagnostic abilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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