Governor DeWine Signs State Rep. Melanie Miller's First Bill into Law

COLUMBUS –This week Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 158, legislation to update Cosmetology and Barber Board statues, into law at a ceremony at the Ohio State Fair, announced Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland).

The legislation was introduced by Miller in 2023, and the law will reduce barriers for students getting their barbering and cosmetology licenses. It received unanimous support throughout the legislative process. 

“Since the State Boards of Cosmetology and Barbering were combined into one board in 2017, we have seen the need to harmonize the sections of the Ohio Revised Code on Cosmetology and Barbering to match,” said Miller. “I am confident that these and other changes that update our code will serve to encourage the Barber and Cosmetology industry to grow and thrive in Ohio.”

“I’d like to thank my joint sponsor, Rep. Bill Roemer, my colleagues in the Ohio House and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for signing this forward-thinking legislation into law,” said Miller. 

Key provisions of the law include:

• Creating a unified barbering/cosmetology school license, to eliminate duplicative applications for facilities that teach both cosmetology and barbering.
• Enhancing license reciprocity from other states.
• Reducing fines for disciplinary actions.
• Establishing temporary pre-examination work permits for barbers.
• Lowering the age to apply for a barber license or to start barbering school to 16 years of age
• Eliminating a requirement that a barber student complete 200 additional hours of training before re-taking the licensing exam.
• Preventing the board from charging interest or penalty fees for unpaid fines.
• Creating an independent contractor license, eliminating “shop within a shop” licenses
• Creating a process to designate a license as “inactive.”
• Allowing the board to independently set the passing score for the barber exam, rather than keeping it in statute.
   

The signed act will become law in 90 days.