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State Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, announced on Monday he is sponsoring legislation that will allow military personnel and military dependents who are licensed as cosmetologists in other states to continue practicing their trade while stationed in Alabama.
“Passage of this legislation will ensure that our fighting men and women and dependents who worked as hair stylists and cosmetologists elsewhere can continue to access employment opportunities while stationed in Alabama,” Paschal said. “As a U.S. Army career veteran, I understand the hardships and sacrifices that military dependents face, and they deserve to have their transition to a new posting made as easy and simple as possible.”
House Bill 246 is part of an effort to create a national “cosmetology compact” for military personnel and dependents, and an identical measure has already been enacted in Kentucky. In addition to Alabama, legislatures in Georgia, Texas, Nebraska, Arizona, and California are currently considering the measure, which will soon be introduced in Delaware and Ohio, as well.
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, who chairs the Alabama Military Stability Commission, commended Paschal for continuing the licensure reciprocity effort that the state originally began a few years ago.
“Alabama was among the first states in the nation to pass legislation ensuring occupational licensing reciprocity for military dependents, and we have expanded that effort to cover various boards, commissions, trades, and professions each year since,” Ainsworth said. “By continuing this initiative, Rep. Paschal is helping Alabama remain the country’s friendliest state for active duty service members, military dependents, and veterans.”
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Executive Director Jeannie Price joined representatives from ten other state cosmetology boards and three industry representatives in creating the model legislation, and she said the bill is necessary to keep the profession growing, thriving, and healthy.
“We are excited about this opportunity for the cosmetology profession and our licensees,” Price said. “This legislation will reduce the barriers of employment in our state, benefiting our military families as well as others relocating to our state.”
Alabama National Guard Adjutant General Sheryl Gordon said legislation like Paschal’s plays an important role in helping military families settle into new assignments.
“This bill makes it even easier for service members and their families to assimilate and do business in Alabama” Gordon said. “The Alabama National Guard is always looking for pro-military legislation that will help our military families, and we hope the Alabama legislature quickly moves this bill forward.”
HB246 has been referred to the Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee for consideration.
