HB 1697 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

HB 1697 exempts natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when operating under specific conditions, directly affecting individuals who provide natural hair braiding services. The bill removes a barrier for braiders who meet defined criteria, such as operating in non-commercial settings or adhering to safety standards. This policy change simplifies access to the profession without requiring a state-issued license for qualifying practitioners. The bill is currently in early stages, having been prefiled and introduced in January 2026.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB1697 → HB1697_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to shift natural hair braiders from a licensing exemption to a mandatory registration system. This change ensures that while braiders do not need a full cosmetology license, they must register with the state and adhere to specific sanitation and safety standards. The revision also clarifies the scope of services included in braiding and updates the effective date of the law.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a blanket exemption from licensing to a regulated registration system that applies to all natural hair braiders, requiring them to meet specific health and safety standards.

REQUIREMENT

Natural hair braiders are no longer simply exempt from licensing; they must now register with the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Registration requires submission of proof of completion of a board-approved course on sanitation, health, and safety starting November 1, 2026.

Registrants are required to renew their registration every odd-numbered year by December 31, with failure to renew resulting in forfeiture.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'natural hair braiding' was updated to list specific techniques like braiding, cornrowing, and locking, while clarifying that chemical treatments remain excluded.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to authorize the board to issue citations and fines for registrants who fail to display their registration or violate sanitary practices.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to July 1, 3000, likely a placeholder for future legislative action.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPN.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 268).

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Pierick.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPC, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors