2025 -- H 5559

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LC001769

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS,

COSMETICIANS, MANICURISTS AND ESTHETICIANS

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Messier, Perez, Azzinaro, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-10-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-10 entitled "Barbers,

Hairdressers, Cosmeticians, Manicurists and Estheticians" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-10-23. Fixed place of business.

     (a) Except as provided in this section, manicuring, esthetics, barbering and/or hairdressing

and cosmetic therapy, as defined in this chapter, shall be practiced only in a shop licensed under §

5-10-15. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the practice of barbering,

manicuring, and hairdressing and cosmetic therapy and esthetics in the same shop or place of

business.

     (b) Nothing in this section shall restrict a hairdresser licensed pursuant to this chapter,

operating in a licensed nursing service agency, from providing services to an individual who is

homebound at their home. For purposes of this section, “homebound” is defined as any person who

is considered housebound for purpose of federal Medicare eligibility.

     (c) Nothing in this section shall restrict any person licensed pursuant to this chapter from

providing services to an individual who is homebound, has special needs or sensory-related

disorders or differences, using a mobile salon or unit at their home as verified by a licensed

healthcare professional. The use of chemical treatments shall not be permitted in a mobile salon or

unit.

     (d) Nothing in this section shall restrict or prohibit any person licensed pursuant to this

chapter from providing services to an individual residing in any Department of Housing and Urban

Development (H.U.D.) recognized housing for the elderly in the H.U.D. recognized housing in

which the individual resides. Those services shall be provided in a separate room inspected by the

department of health. Students enrolled in programs of hairdressing, barbering and/or cosmetology

are prohibited in H.U.D. recognized housing.

     (e) Nothing in this section shall restrict or prohibit any person licensed pursuant to this

chapter from providing services to an individual outside a licensed shop as part of a special occasion

event, such as a wedding or prom, so long as those services are limited to hair styling and makeup,

and the health and sanitation standards expected of licensees in licensed shops are followed.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS,

COSMETICIANS, MANICURISTS AND ESTHETICIANS

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     This act would allow mobile salons to visit the houses of individuals with special needs or

sensory-related disorders or differences in order to provide haircuts or hairdressing services.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001769

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