States Asked to Deregulate Hair Braiding

[emad]

Guardian

Friday March 11, 2005 11:01 AM
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

Associated Press Writer

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - To hear one side tell it, African hair braiding is an art passed down through generations, a form of expression that shouldn't be hampered by bureaucratic licensing.

The other side argues the practice needs to be regulated so braiders will learn to prevent the spread of scalp diseases.

Now, state lawmakers across the country are trying to untangle the issue.

Tennessee state Sen. Steve Cohen filed a bill at the request of a constituent who braids.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4857575,00.html

[justiceischeap]

1. We really do have to legislate everything, don't we? (eom)

[displacedtexan]

2. No regulation = No sterilization of instruments

Personally, I'm a fan of business licenses and state standards... especially where public health issues inherent in beauty salons are concerned.

Having a friend or relative use a comb to separate and braid your hair is one thing.

Paying a business owner who uses the same comb repeatedly on random customers is quite another.

Don't you want to know that a biz owner is certified by some regulatory body before you give them money for services rendered?

I do.

Remember the dentists who gave their patients AIDS before the American Dental Association imposed stricter regulations?

[jmm]

3. So then have a class about sterilizing instruments

That I could get behind but forcing someone who is not permanently altering hair by cutting or chemically processing it to take a 1500 hour cosmetology course or a 300 hour course learning how to make wigs seems ridiculous to me.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. That's because it *is* rediculous

Sounds like the Governor agrees. Is the legislature going to be able override a veto in order to keep the beauticians happy?

[Mizmoon]

4. scalp diseases?

I wasn't aware that there WERE scalp diseases to catch.

[sybylla]

7. I suspect that's a euphemism for lice

I know there are some skin diseases that are contagious. :shrug:

In my state, the hair salons have to use clean combs on each person. What their definition of clean is I don't know. But I would think that hair braiding falls under the category of hair salons and should be licensed and inspected the same.

[Jazzgirl]

8. Not a euphemism for lice. Ringworm is not uncommon.

I think that is just one of the main concerns here. There are certainly several other diseases but I would say ringworm is probably the most common.

[bunkerbuster1]

5. I can tie ANY story to GannonGate! just watch...

The requirements are ridiculous: either 300 or 1500 hours to train about hygene?

I'd say that a braider-for-hire should have to spent no more time than, oh, say, Guckert did at his "journalism" mill.

how'd I do?

[Ian David]

9. I think you've discovered a new party game