Authors of a bill to enter Wisconsin into a multi-state licensure compact say it would break down employment barriers for cosmetology professionals looking to work in the state.
Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, and Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hobart, are circulating a cosponsorship memo on the legislation, which would ratify and enter Wisconsin into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact.
This federally sponsored initiative became active last week after seven participating states enacted requisite legislation, the memo shows, and several other states are considering joining the compact.
Jacque and Goeben say the compact is meant to “improve licensing efficiency and workforce mobility” while retaining states’ ability to control their own regulatory standards. It would make it easier for licensed cosmetologists to practice across state lines in participating areas, bill authors say, eliminating the need to get multiple licenses to do so.
Instead, cosmetologists with active, “unencumbered” licenses in member states can apply for a multistate license to practice in other compact states.
The memo ties the legislation to the issue of domestic violence, noting survivors that need to “move quickly and anonymously” would be able to do so without having to deal with licensing delays.
“In this industry, a person can work today and because of tips, have money in their pocket tonight to buy a meal, a hotel room, or any number of things that someone in this dire situation might need,” they wrote. “In addition, because jobs in this industry often go unfilled, it is likely a person could start work immediately, benefitting both themselves and the employers of Wisconsin.”
The compact establishes a Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission, which includes one administrator of licensure authority from each member state. The commission has the power to adopt bylaws, establish binding rules for the compact, appoint officers, hire employees and create an executive committee.
The commission also has the power to collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on multistate licensees to cover the cost of operations, according to analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Another provision of the compact creates a database and reporting system with “investigative information” on cosmetologists and applicants who’ve been denied a license, that’s shared with the commission and all member states.
Yet another provision notes that if cosmetologists’ home state takes action against their license, their authorization to work in other member states is “deactivated” until the issue is resolved.
Bill authors are urging other lawmakers to sign on in order to “help victims of domestic violence and beauty professionals considering moving to Wisconsin” by removing employment hurdes. The cosponsorship deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.
See the memo.
