BILL NUMBER:  S113

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to direct the conducting of an evaluation of the need for
educating barbers on the health and safety aspects of their trade


 PURPOSE :
To ensure that barbers receive sufficient training and education in
the health and safety aspects of their trade and to protect the health
of their clients.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Directs the Secretary of State, working with the Commissioner of
Health and the Commissioner of Education and representatives of the
barbering industry and barber educators to make a thorough evaluation
of the need for educating barbers on the health and safety aspects of
their trade. A report to the Governor and Legislature is required no
later than April 1,2009, including, but not limited to,
recommendations on course content, the required number of hours and
frequency for taking a course, if it is determined that such education
is necessary to safeguard public health.

 EXISTING LAW :
- Article 28, General Business Law regulates the practice of
barbering. Barber shops are required to comply with the State Sanitary
              

Code or the New York City Health Code.  An aspiring barber must
satisfy certain requirements in order to enter the trade:

- complete an application and pay a fee;

- provide satisfactory evidence of good moral character;

- have a physical examination which shows freedom from any infectious
or communicable disease;

- have completed elementary education;

- complete a course of study (500 hours) in a licensed school of
barbering, plus 18 months of apprenticeship; OR

- study as an apprentice for two years under a licensed barber; OR
Section One. The Legislature finds that, as part of the state's
commitment to protecting the public health, it is important to ensure
the health and safety of both barbers and their clients. The
Legislature also finds that the safe use and sterilization of sharp
instruments and knowledge of the proper techniques to prevent
transmission of infection and disease are significant public health
concerns.  The Legislature further finds that, because most barbers
choose the option of entering the trade by apprenticing to a master
barber, rather than attending an accredited barber school, there are
many practicing barbers who have had no formal training and education
in the health and safety aspects of their trade. In addition, there is
no requirement that barbers complete periodic refresher courses in the
health and safety aspects of barbering.

S 2. The secretary of state, working with the commissioner of health
and the commissioner of education, or their designees, and
representatives of the barbering industry and barber educators shall
conduct a thorough evaluation of the need for educating barbers on the
health and safety aspects of their trade. The secretary will report
the findings of this evaluation to the governor and legislature no
later than April 1, 20 1 0, including, but not limited to,
recommendations on course content, the required number of hours and
frequency for taking a course, if it is determined that such education
is necessary in order to safeguard public health.
 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
S.2498a of 2007
06/23/08 Passed Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :
Unknown.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.