On Wednesday, the Minnesota Senate passed a bipartisan bill to exempt freelance hair and makeup artists from being required to obtain a full cosmetology license. The bill, Senate File 2228, passed by a vote of 64-3. 

“When the COVID-19 pandemic runs its course, we will make an attempt at returning to life as we knew it. And when that happens, there are over a thousand freelance hair and makeup artists across Minnesota that deserve the opportunity to keep doing what they love,” said Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), the bill’s chief author. “When the Board of Cosmetology decided to arbitrarily change the rules a couple of years ago, they stripped these men and women of their livelihoods. These are the hair and makeup artists we hire for weddings, proms, and photoshoots – not cosmetologists that work in a salon. They don’t work with chemicals or cut hair; there’s no reason they should be subject to such an extreme regulatory burden, especially when it does not appear to have been done in good faith.”

The legislation will exempt freelance hair and makeup artists – those who clean, dry, arrange, and style hair, or apply cosmetics to the face and skin – from the Board of Cosmetology’s licensing requirements. Freelance hair and makeup artists will still be required to take a four-hour sanitation training course from a state-approved continuing education provider.

The bill awaits a vote by the House of Representatives.

“Freelance hair and makeup artists across the state were running successful businesses and performing in-demand freelance services every day until the bureaucracy decided to arbitrarily change the rules. We should be supporting our small businesses – many of which are women-owned – not making it impossible for them to make a living,” said Senator Housley.

Senator Karin Housley, of St. Marys Point, represents the Forest Lake area and the St. Croix River Valley in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Housley is chairwoman of the Family Care and Aging Committee and is an assistant majority leader.