S 6652 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to the practice of natural hair care and braiding

This bill creates a new licensing category for "natural hair care and braiding" within New York's cosmetology regulations. It defines specific practices like braiding, twisting, and loc extensions using botanical products, while excluding chemical treatments, hair coloring, or permanent structural changes. The law directly affects hairstylists specializing in textured hair who previously operated under broader cosmetology licenses. Key provisions clarify that licensed practitioners must use tension techniques without chemicals and specify permitted styling methods for all hair types.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 19, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

S6652 → S6652A · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand the scope of natural hair care and braiding licensing by adding new definitions and clarifying what practices are included and excluded. The changes update terminology to be more inclusive of various hair textures and add specific definitions for 'natural hair,' 'textured hair,' and 'textured styles.' The amendment also expands who can perform natural hair care to include braiders and apprentices, while maintaining restrictions on chemical treatments and color alteration.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include additional hair texture definitions and clarify that braiders and apprentices can perform natural hair care services, while maintaining restrictions on chemical treatments.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'natural hair' to include all hair types with natural curl, coil, wave, or wiry patterns rather than only virgin hair types.

Changed 'textured hair styling' to 'textured styles' or 'textured hair styling' and updated it to specify services performed by licensed natural hair care or cosmetology professionals.

Modified the definition of 'textured hair' to change 'wavey' to 'wavy' for consistency with standard terminology.

ELIGIBILITY

Added braiders and apprentices to the list of professionals who can perform natural hair care services.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the list of tools and equipment to include brushes instead of combs, and clarified that certain tension-based techniques require specialized training.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION

upper

Jul 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 6652A

upper

Jul 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CONSUMER PROTECTION

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors