Labor & Employment (Professional Licensing)

This bill updates the rules for the District of Columbia's Certified Business Enterprise Program to ensure fairer participation and stronger enforcement. It clarifies that businesses seeking certification must be independently owned and operated, preventing larger companies from controlling smaller ones just to gain certification status. The law also sets new performance requirements for joint ventures, mandating that each partner performs work proportional to their ownership share and that at least 35% of subcontracted work goes to other certified businesses. Additionally, the bill creates a clearer system for handling complaints by defining both formal and informal options and requiring the Department to investigate all valid complaints while maintaining public records of formal filings.

This bill removes hair braiding from the District of Columbia's cosmetology licensing requirements, meaning individuals who only braid hair will no longer need a state license to work. By redefining hair braiding as a practice that excludes cutting hair or using chemical dyes, the legislation excludes it from the regulatory authority of the Board of Barber and Cosmetology. The changes aim to align local laws with those of neighboring states like Virginia and Maryland, which do not require licenses for this specific service. Ultimately, the act seeks to reduce barriers for hair braiders while maintaining oversight for other cosmetology services that involve different health and safety considerations.

The Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact Act of 2025 allows District of Columbia social workers to practice across state lines - including via telehealth - without obtaining separate licenses in each state, by joining a national compact. It directly affects licensed social workers, clients who move or travel (like military families, students, and federal employees), and DC’s social work workforce. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, preservation of DC’s existing alternative licensure pathway for graduate students, and maintaining DC’s authority to regulate practice and take adverse action against licensees. The bill reduces administrative barriers while ensuring social workers comply with client location laws and preserving local regulatory standards.