Dear Reader,

Texas is at it again! On Tuesday, March 1st, 2023, Republican Senator Bob Hall filed Senate Bill (SB)1337 and on March 7th, 2023, Democratic House Representative Shawn Thierry filed House Bill (HB) 3845 that is identical to SB1337.  These bills are relating to the practice of barbering and cosmetology and would remove blow-dry styling which includes the practice of cleansing, conditioning, drying, arranging, curling, straightening, or styling hair using only mechanical devices, hair sprays, and topical agents, including balms, oils, and serums.  SB1337 and HB3845 would also remove weaving a person's hair by using any method to attach commercial hair to a person's hair or scalp.  

Review SB1337 here: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB1337

Review HB3845 here: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB3845

This is what I care about.  I care about the current and future outlook of the Texas Barber and Cosmetology industry and the effects that deregulation can have on non-licensed individuals that provide hairstyling services as well as the consumers that seek these services.

This is what I want to do.  Through this petition, I want to stop the progress of SB1337 and HB3845 by organizing the people most affected by these bills!  I want the Texas legislators to hear the voices of their constituents that are licensed Texas barber and cosmetology professionals, barber and cosmetology school owners, current barber and cosmetology students, and consumers that seek these services! If you are reading this petition, this is YOU! 

Why I think you should care about it and why I think you should help. The Texas legislators have been chipping away at the barber and cosmetology license over the years and if we do not stand up for our industry in a way that we have never done before, our licenses will be headed in the direction of complete deregulation.  These bills like others in the past, undermine the importance of mandated proper barbering and cosmetology education as well as safety and sanitation practices that keep both the professional and the consumer safe.

In addition to barber and cosmetology services, SB1337 and HB3845 would deregulate these hairstyling businesses from posting the mandated human trafficking sign within their hair servicing establishments.  Human trafficking is a global billion-dollar illegal industry that is taking place right here in Texas within our communities.  The state of Texas ranks among the top 10 U.S. states for reported cases and the barber and beauty industry establishments more than often encounter human traffickers, human trafficking victims, and human trafficking sex solicitors.  The continuing education required for human trafficking assists in recognizing signs that may save lives.

In conclusion, please sign and share this petition and assist the Texas Barber and Cosmetology industry in stopping the deregulation bills SB1337 and HB3845.  WE DO MORE THAN STYLE HAIR; WE KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE!

Work To Win Texas, 

Sharla Wooten,

Cosmetologist | Salon Owner

TDLR CE Provider #1859   

Graphic Credit: Shanna Casey