Bill: HB 4068, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Positive Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Wayne Smith

Bill Caption

Relating to the regulation of barber schools and beauty culture schools; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

Fiscal Notes

Based on the analysis of the Department of Licensing and Regulation, the Texas Workforce Commission,and the Comptroller of Public Accounts, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources. 

Bill Analysis

HB 4068 would establish uniform refund criteria for unearned tuition for both private beauty/barber schools and beauty/barber schools ceasing to operate. HB 4068 would authorize a barber school to retain 100 percent of the earned tuition on a student's withdrawal or termination. The bill would also reduce the re-enrollment time barrier from 48 months to 24 months if the student receives a grade of incomplete.

HB 4068 reduces from four years to two years the period following a student's withdrawal or termination during which a barber school/beauty culture school is required to allow such a student to reenter the school, if the student withdraws or is terminated after completing half of the course, and the period during which a student who withdraws and receives a grade of incomplete is authorized to reenroll and complete the course of training or program, as applicable, without incurring additional costs. 

Under HB 4068, if a beauty/barber school ceases to operate the school shall refund all unearned tuition and help the students get placed in a new school. 

These provisions would only apply to students enrolling on or after February 1, 2016.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 4068 would help provide consistent standards for refunding unearned tuition to students as well as reduce the time between re-enrollment. Both of which will allow for greater and easier participation in barber and beauty schools. The amendments sought after in HB 4068 would help decrease unemployment by easier the barriers of entering the industry. We support this legislation.  

Due to the high volume of bills regarding barbering and cosmetology occupational licensing requirements, the legislature should consider reviewing the regulatory framework surrounding these professions in one concise overhaul in lieu of various amendments that may work on their own but conflict with the provisions of other reform-minded legislation. 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 05:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/hb4068?print_view=true