New York Passes Landmark Legislation for Inclusive Hair Education

In a groundbreaking move for the beauty industry, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law legislation that mandates inclusive hair education as a requirement for Cosmetology State Board licensing. The historic bill, championed by The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), in conjunction with its Texture Education Collective (TEC), founded by Aveda, DevaCurl, L’Oreal USA and Neill., alongside the efforts of Senator Jamaal Bailey (D-36) and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-22), marks a significant step towards greater inclusivity and representation in the world of cosmetology.

Photo shared from Texture Education Collective (TEC)

The new law, which was signed on November 17th, 2023, is a triumph for advocates of diversity and equality in hair care. It reflects the changing landscape of beauty standards and acknowledges the importance of providing comprehensive training in working with all hair types and textures.

The Texture Education Collective (TEC), a collaborative initiative founded by industry giants Aveda, DevaCurl, L’Oreal USA, and Neill, has been instrumental in driving this change. The collective's efforts build upon an existing 2017 law led by New York State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-79), which mandated the appointment of a professional hairstylist to the NYS Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee. This committee advises the state on curriculum matters, with a specific focus on the maintenance of all hair types and textures.

The new law highlights the importance of having professional hairstylists in advisory roles and ensures that hair education in New York is systematically more inclusive. This move aims to foster a safer and more positive experience for customers from diverse backgrounds when seeking hair services.

Myra Reddy, Government Affairs Director of the Professional Beauty Association, expressed her appreciation for the groundbreaking legislation: "This is a huge step in advancing hair inclusivity in the State of New York. Stylists will now receive comprehensive, inclusive hair education that will help to foster safe and positive experiences for all customers to feel welcomed, valued, understood, and seen when receiving hair services. We greatly appreciate Governor Hochul, Senator Bailey, Assemblywoman Solages, and Assemblyman Pretlow for their dedication to close this much-needed education gap. We look forward to bringing this important progress to other states soon."

Senator Jamaal Bailey, a driving force behind the bill, spoke passionately about the need for greater inclusivity in the cosmetology industry: "Individuals with hair of all textures deserve to feel welcomed, understood, and safe when they seek out hair care services. The current standards in the cosmetology industry often do not adequately prepare professionals to work with diverse hair textures. This knowledge gap disproportionately impacts women and girls of color with textured and diverse hair who face challenges in seeking out services that meet their needs."

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who carried the legislation in the Assembly, added, "As a woman with textured hair, this achievement holds a special significance for me. It's a victory for diversity, inclusion, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their hair type, receives the attention and expertise they deserve in the salon. I am proud to have played a part in making the cosmetology field more representative and empowering for individuals with diverse hair textures."

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who laid the foundation for this legislative change in 2017, emphasized the importance of protecting New York's inclusive culture: "New York is a melting pot filled with diversity and inclusive culture which is appreciated throughout the world – it’s our duty as policymakers to protect that. I’m proud that my 2017 law is a part of the growing foundation in strengthening our state's standards in making everyone feel nothing short of valued and empowered."

In addition to the new law's legislative success, Allure published an article on December 1, 2023, detailing its significance and the potential it holds to lead the state toward a more inclusive future in beauty education.

For those who wish to support the cause of textured hair inclusion in cosmetology testing standards or become a supporting member of the TEC, more information can be found at probeauty.org, where a petition advocating for these important changes is available for signing.