Public Comments for: HB322 - Cosmetology Compact; established.
Attached is a written testimony in support of the HB322.
Virginia Legislature, HB 322 (Glass) Hearing: February 1, 2024 As a business owner and your constituent, I urge you to support HB 322. This Compact legislation would remove significant barriers for licensed cosmetologists and allow them to work consistently, during temporary relocations or as they wait for their license in a new state. I have been a Virginia resident for more than 40 years and have owned a salon business for almost 35 years. I have grown my Great Clips business to 13 salons with over 100 licensed stylists. I pride myself on providing great jobs and career growth. I am committed to helping stylists in any way I can. I care deeply about my stylists, and I understand their hopes and dreams. I also know life can be bumpy and may disrupt their careers. This compact will help them when relocations occur. I support this legislation because I have had stylists who relocated with military spouses and struggled to get their license. I am hopeful that all states will join the Compact to reduce these licensing barriers. It should be easier for stylists to earn a living easily across state lines. The State of Virginia works hard to process reciprocity, but the current lag is 45 days. That's 45 days that a stylist cannot legally work in their chosen profession. The administrative burden is high, as other states are slow in providing information that is necessary to complete the process. With the Compact, the Department of Defense will provide a comprehensive, fully transparent database of licensees. This would provide increased protection of public health and safety. I am part of a strong franchise system that provides opportunities in all 50 states. I support my stylists' career growth and would love for them to easily move for promotions and unique opportunities. There are positions that may cover multiple states or provide short-term support in a different state. They should be able to take advantage of these great career opportunities. I also know stylists who work for Great Clips in another state may be interested in working for me in the short term, as they care for elderly parents or visit military families. There are many things that may force licensed stylists to relocate temporarily or permanently. Let's help them continue to earn a living. The Compact provides bi-directional mobility so Virginia residents may easily work in other states. I want to make it easier for licensed professionals to move in and out of Virginia. Patti Robertson
Virginia Legislature, HB 322 (Glass) Hearing: February 1, 2024 My name is Sean Carroll and I urge you to support HB 322. I am retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after 26 years of active duty. I now own a salon business, Meliorist, Inc. with plans to expand in the tri-region area of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. My existing salon is in Reston, Virginia and all my stylists are licensed in Virginia. As I build my business, I look forward to providing them with growth opportunities that may cross state lines. That is one reason I support HB 322. I also believe HB 322 would address concerns I see: - This would support military families that are relocated throughout their careers. This is funded by the Department of Defense to provide flexibility to family members as they relocate. - Bi-directional mobility supports Virginia residents that may need to temporarily work in another state due to family health issues or other family emergencies. - This would allow me to hire across state lines more easily. The reciprocity process can take months, and this would allow stylists to work as they work through the process. - I have stylists that apply from other states and want to work in my business. I had a stylist from Arizona that became so discouraged and overwhelmed by the process that she just walked away. I wonder if she may simply choose to work without a license, which is a public health and safety risk. - The Compact creates a comprehensive shared database that will provide full transparency of the licensee’s history. - I could accept applicants from other member states, and they could go to work immediately to earn a living and I would help them through the reciprocity process. - The density on the east coast makes it very likely that stylists may simply want to work across state lines from time to time. We should make it easier to take on temporary assignments, special projects, or short-term positions. Let’s reduce barriers to mobility for stylists so they can consistently earn a living. Please support HB 322. Thank you for your consideration. Sean Carroll
Support for HB322 as it protects our military families. My letter provides testimony to the challenges our family faced as a result of not having a Compact protecting my training in other States while moving in support of my spouse on Active Duty. Ours is not an isolated story, but representative of the many military families who struggle to make ends meet and the employment challenges faced by their spouses. This Compact is a significant step in easing the transition of our young military families as they transition to their new homes in support of our nation.
Virginia Legislature, HB 322 (Glass) Hearing: February 1, 2024 The importance of passing the Compact as it protects the careers of our military families as they move in support of our nation's calling. Gives testimony as to the challenges faced by those same families with regards to Licensure, Testing, Reciprocity, and planning/preparing during a stressful period which can be significantly reduced through the passage of this Compact.
Comments Document
Industry Sponsor Testimony