New Mexico HB 281: HAIR BRAIDING LICENSURE

Status: Signed (as of 2025-04-08)

State: New Mexico · Session: 2025 · Bill: HB 281

Subjects: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY, LICENSURE

Sponsors: Anyanonu, Janelle, Herndon, Pamelya, Pope, Harold, Roybal Caballero, Patricia

Bill Text

HB 281/a
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AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSURE; EXEMPTING HAIR BRAIDING FROM
PROVISIONS OF THE BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS ACT; PROHIBITING
DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR HAIR BRAIDING WITHOUT BEING LICENSED
PURSUANT TO THE BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS ACT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 61-17A-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
Chapter 171, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-17A-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Barbers and
Cosmetologists Act:
A. "barber" means a person, other than a student,
who for compensation engages in barbering;
B. "board" means the board of barbers and
cosmetologists;
C. "cosmetologist" means a person, other than a
student, who for compensation engages in cosmetology;
D. "department" means the regulation and licensing
department;
E. "electrologist" means a person, other than a
student, who for compensation removes hair from or destroys
hair on the human body through the use of an electric current
applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode or probe;
F. "enterprise" means a business venture, firm or
organization;

HB 281/a
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G. "establishment" means an immobile beauty shop,
barber shop, electrology clinic, salon or similar place of
business in which cosmetology, barbering, eyebrow threading,
hairstyling or electrolysis is performed;
H. "esthetician" means a person, other than a
student, who for compensation:
(1) uses cosmetic preparations, including
makeup applications, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays or
creams, for the purpose of preserving the health and beauty
of the skin and body;
(2) massages, cleans, stimulates or
manipulates the skin for the purpose of preserving the health
and beauty of the skin and body; or
(3) performs activities similar to the
activities described in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this
subsection on any part of the body of a person;
I. "eyebrow threading" means a method of hair
removal in which a thin thread is doubled, twisted and then
rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the
follicle level;
J. "hair braiding" means twisting, wrapping,
weaving, extending, locking or braiding hair and incidental
use of topical agents and mechanical devices and includes use
of hair extensions, hair fibers, decorative beads and other
accessories incidental to hair braiding;

HB 281/a
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K. "hairstylist" means a person, other than a
student, who for compensation engages in hairstyling;
L. "manicurist-pedicurist" means a person, other
than a student, who for compensation performs work on the
nails of a person and applies nail extensions or products to
the nails for the purpose of strengthening or preserving the
health and beauty of the hands or feet;
M. "sanitation" means the maintenance of sanitary
conditions to promote hygiene and the prevention of disease
through the use of chemical agents or products;
N. "school" means a public or private
instructional facility approved by the board that teaches
cosmetology, barbering or hairstyling; and
O. "student" means a person enrolled in a school
to learn or be trained in cosmetology, barbering, hairstyling
or electrolysis."
SECTION 2. Section 61-17A-4.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
2017, Chapter 112, Section 1) is amended to read:
"61-17A-4.1. HAIRSTYLING DEFINED.--Hairstyling includes
any one or any combination of the following practices when
done upon the upper part of the male or female human body for
cosmetic purposes for the public generally, using the hands
or manual, mechanical or electrical implements or appliances:
A. cleansing, massaging or stimulating the scalp
with oils, creams, lotions or other cosmetic or chemical

HB 281/a
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preparations;
B. applying cosmetic or chemical preparations,
antiseptics, powders, oils, clays or lotions to the scalp;
C. cutting, arranging, applying hair extensions to
or styling the hair by any means; provided that hairstyling
does not include hair braiding;
D. cleansing, coloring, lightening, waving or
straightening the hair with cosmetic or chemical
preparations; or
E. trimming a person's beard."
SECTION 3. Section 61-17A-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
Chapter 171, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-17A-5. LICENSE REQUIRED.--
A. Unless licensed pursuant to the Barbers and
Cosmetologists Act or exempted from the provisions of that
act, no person shall practice barbering, hairstyling or
cosmetology for compensation either directly or indirectly.
B. Unless licensed pursuant to the Barbers and
Cosmetologists Act, no person shall operate a school or
establishment for compensation.
C. Unless licensed pursuant to the Barbers and
Cosmetologists Act or exempted from the provisions of that
act, no person shall teach barbering, hairstyling,
cosmetology or electro

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