Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill eliminating licenses for natural hair braiders, making Pennsylvania the 34th state to do so.
The law exempts hair braiders from having to obtain a cosmetology license to perform braiding.
“Braiding natural hair has been common in African American communities for centuries. The technique is passed down from generation to generation and is learned from an early age. No formal training is required,” said State Representative Regina Young. “It’s a recognition of the unique cultural richness of natural hair braiding, and that all you need is a comb, a brush, a beautiful head full of hair, and no license.”
The bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and passed in the Senate by an overwhelming majority of 49-1.
The Institute of Justice responded to the bill’s signing.
“This is another step toward ensuring that every person in this great country has the opportunity to pursue their mission free from unnecessary regulation,” said the Institute for Justice’s Legislative Director and Senior Legislative Counsel. Megan Forbes said. “Thank you to everyone who helped pass this bill and ensured that bladers have every opportunity to succeed.”
The institute says it takes an average of 120 days to obtain a license for low- and moderate-income people in Pennsylvania, and tuition can be very expensive.
The Institute for Justice advocates for the right to earn a living across the United States, and in the National Braiding Initiative launched in 2014, only 11 states allowed braiders to work without a license.
The bill was introduced by Young and Congresswoman Donna Bullock, who said in a memo that natural hair braiding is different from cosmetology.
