ATLANTA — People on both sides of the aisle are wigging out over a bill that would remove certain cosmetology licensing requirements.
SB 354, which is waiting on a signature from Gov. Brian Kemp, would eliminate occupational licensing requirements for people who shampoo or blow dry someone's hair. It created an intense debate at the close of the 2024 legislative session.
The predominantly Republican-sponsored bill has gotten pushback from Democrats over concerns that it would create unsanitary conditions.
Now, the Coweta Republican Party is claiming it would open up those jobs to undocumented immigrants, saying it would "eliminate the requirement for an occupational license for covered workers in the barbering/ cosmetology industry" and "dismantle current laws aimed at preventing illegal immigration."
For cosmetologists like Shay Ray, who has been working in the industry for several decades, she believes the bill would open up more jobs and create more opportunities for those interested in the industry.
"They could go ahead and get their foot in the door," Ray said. "They could go ahead and start shampooing for someone. They could go ahead and start blow drying."
She believes that a lot of the pushback is rooted in confusion.
"A lot of people don’t even know what the legislation is, so they’ll go against something that could help them," Ray explained.
Proponents of the bill say it would not remove the existing verification of lawful immigration presence built into the occupational license process, and it would also not impact the sanitation requirements associated with the industry.
As the bill awaits a final decision from the governor, cosmetologists like Ray said it may be time for politicians to let their hair down.
"I’m all about giving people opportunities," Ray said. "Let them see what they can do."