HB 377 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards use of light-based medical devices for hair removal

Summary

To amend section 4731.33 and to enact section 4731.331 of the Revised Code to revise the law governing the application of light-based medical devices for the purpose of hair removal.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2025

Committee Review

Nov 2025

House Passage

Nov 2025

Senate Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Aug 2026

Introduced Jun 24, 2025 Signed Aug 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate → As Enrolled · 7 edits · May 27, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Ohio's laws regarding who can legally use light-based medical devices for hair removal. It expands eligibility to include licensed laser hair removal professionals and clarifies supervision requirements for nurses and physician assistants. The changes also establish specific training hours, documentation rules, and liability standards to ensure patient safety.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope of who may perform laser hair removal beyond just nurses and physician assistants to include individuals licensed as laser hair removal professionals, while maintaining strict supervision requirements for all delegates.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new category of eligible delegate: 'laser hair removal professional,' defined as either a former cosmetic therapist licensed before April 11, 2021, or someone who completed 750 hours of instruction and passed a national certification exam.

REQUIREMENT

Modified training requirements for laser hair removal professionals to include 8 hours of basic education and observation of 15 procedures, plus performance of 20 procedures under direct physical oversight before independent practice.

Modified supervision rules to allow 'off-site supervision' for established patients if the delegate is a certified cosmetic therapist who completed at least 50 hours of training and worked under on-site supervision for a sufficient period.

Added a new section (4731.331) allowing advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to delegate and supervise nurses and laser hair removal professionals, provided they meet the same criteria as physicians.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'laser hair removal professional' and clarified that 'nurse' does not include an advanced practice registered nurse acting in that capacity.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific liability provisions stating that violations by physicians, nurses, or laser hair removal professionals constitute departures from minimal standards of care or unauthorized practice of medicine.

TIMELINE

Included an exemption for individuals who were already applying light-based devices for hair removal through lawful delegation before September 30, 2021, exempting them from new education requirements.

As Passed by the House → As Passed by the Senate · 8 edits · May 13, 2026

MODERATE

The Senate version expands the bill to allow physician assistants and advanced practice nurses to delegate laser hair removal to new categories of staff, including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses (previously excluded). It also introduces specific training hour requirements and supervision rules for these new delegates, while adding exemptions for individuals who were already licensed as cosmetic therapists before 2021.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only physicians delegating to physician assistants to include physician assistants and advanced practice nurses delegating to nurses and licensed practical nurses.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to receive delegation for laser hair removal, whereas the House version only allowed delegation to physician assistants and existing laser professionals.

Modified the list of eligible delegates to include nurses and licensed practical nurses under specific conditions, changing the delegation structure from the House version.

REQUIREMENT

Established specific training requirements for nurses and licensed practical nurses, including a 40-hour approved program and documentation of completion.

Created new supervision rules for nurses, allowing off-site supervision only if the nurse completes an approved 40-hour training program.

Added requirements for physician assistants and advanced practice nurses to comply with the same delegation and supervision rules as physicians when delegating to nurses or laser professionals.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'nurse' to clarify that it includes registered and licensed practical nurses but excludes advanced practice registered nurses.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific enforcement clauses stating that violations by nurses constitute a failure to practice according to safe nursing care standards.

EXEMPTIONS

Added exemptions for individuals who held a cosmetic therapist license before April 11, 2021, or have been applying the device for two years through lawful delegation prior to the effective date.

Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · House Nov 13, 2025

How they voted

31–0

Passed

Total votes 31

May 13, 2026

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican23

23 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 21, 2026

Legislature · Passed

Sent To The Governor

legislature

May 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Nov 19, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Nov 18, 2025

Introduced

upper

Nov 13, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (94-0)

house

Nov 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Nov 5, 2025

Introduced

Reported - Amended

lower

Sep 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Jun 24, 2025

Introduced

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors