Texas HB1705 Is a Terrible Idea and Here's Why

This is my personal opinion and doesn't necessarily reflect the opinion of Townsquare Media or anyone else.

A Bill introduced into the Texas house is meeting with a ton of controversy- it seeks to abolish the need for a license, certificate or permit to practice cosmetology or barbering.

Let's start by answering this question: why not? Won't the market decide who is worth getting a haircut, nails, facial, etc. from? Won't reviews help consumers decide?

Well, yes, reviews and word of mouth are an essential part of the reputation of a cosmetologist or barber for a lot of people, but sometimes you have to get a haircut asap and don't have the time to do the research. Does that mean you deserve a bad haircut?

Let's assume "yes" for the sake of argument. You didn't do your homework, now you look like a dweeb. Lesson learned right?

UNLESS you received a treatment involving chemicals and the rando you went to burns your scalp, blinds you, or leaves your skin permanently scared. Or the barber gave you lice or bedbugs from an un-sanitized comb. Or some ding-dong nicks you with clippers that are caring a deadly virus.

It's a public safety issue. And if we follow this logic- why have any consumer protections at all? Why make a restaurant follow code? Why make a tattoo shop autoclave their equipment? Why not go back to the wild west and get dental surgery while you're at the barber?

Texas House Bill 1705 is currently under "Introduced" status could possibly make some momentum if we don't stop it dead in its tracts with our collective voices. The bill itself is very short, here it is in it's entirety:

By: Shaheen

H.B. No. 1705



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to abolishing the regulation of the practices of barbering
	and cosmetology.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Title 9, Occupations Code, is repealed.
	SECTION 2. (a) A license, certificate, or permit issued
	under Chapter 1601, 1602, or 1603, Occupations Code, in effect on
	the effective date of this Act expires on that date.
	(b) A proceeding under Title 9, Occupations Code, including
	a complaint investigation, disciplinary action, and administrative
	penalty proceeding, pending on the effective date of this Act is
	terminated on that date.
	(c) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall
	return to a person who holds a valid license, certificate, or permit
	under Title 9, Occupations Code, as that title existed immediately
	before the effective date of this Act, a prorated portion of the fee
	paid to the department for the issuance or renewal of the license,
	certificate, or permit.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.

To make your voice heard you can contact your representative, or sign the Change.org petition online.

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Categories: Local / El Paso

Texas HB1705 Is a Terrible Idea and Here’s Why