Raghib Allie-Brennan

I spoke on the floor of the House today in strong support of HB 6666, An Act Concerning the Department of Public Health's Recommendations Regarding Various Revisions to the Public Health Statutes.

A particular provision of the statutes was detrimental to the hairdressing industry. When evidence of human trafficking was found in the nail salon trade, Connecticut added a provision requiring the licensure of nail technicians and estheticians. But an unintended consequence led to state licensed hairdressers having been stripped overnight of their ability to remove facial hair, a skill they learned in beauty school and included in their licensing provisions. HB 6666 restores a hairdresser's ability to remove hair from the face or neck using manual or mechanical means.

"Last summer, one of my constituents Mary Straniti Thompson of Bethel and owner of Smoke & Mirrors Salon in Newtown brought the licensing issue to my attention and I knew it was something we needed to address this year," Rep. Allie-Brennan said. Rep. Allie-Brennan and Mrs. Straniti Thompson provided testimony in support of HB 6666 at a March 29^thPublic Health Committee public hearing.

While it is typical that most cosmetologists limit their work to hair, there are others who rely on waxing, esthetics, and makeup services to support themselves.

"As the state opens up from the pandemic, this legislation is critical to business owners who wish to add services that might help them recover from economic losses due to COVID-19," said Allie-Brennan.

Rep. Allie-Brennan worked closely with Public Health Committee Chair Rep. Jonathan Steinberg and the state Department of Public Health in rectifying the licensing issue with this legislation.

HB 6666 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was sent to the Senate for consideration.