Vetoed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that establishes Texas' participation in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to work in other member states.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a multistate license for eligible cosmetologists to practice in any compact member state without needing additional licenses (Art. 4, Sec. 1604.001).

• Requires cosmetologists to hold an active, unencumbered single-state license and meet education, exam, and background check standards to qualify for a multistate license (Art. 4, Sec. 1604.001).

• Authorizes multistate license holders to (Art. 3, Sec. 1604.001):

• Legally practice in all compact states as if licensed in those states;

• Retain their multistate license when relocating, by transferring it to a new home state; or

• Continue practicing during relocation if they are active military members or spouses.

• Establishes that licensees must follow local scope-of-practice laws wherever they are practicing (Art. 4, Sec. 1604.001).

• Requires participating states to share license and disciplinary records to a national data system (Art. 10, Sec. 1604.001).

• Authorizes the home state to impose adverse actions against a licensee, which removes the licensee’s ability to practice in all compact states. Remote states may restrict or prohibit practice within their own state only and may report violations to the home state (Art. 7, Sec. 1604.001).

• Establishes the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission to oversee rulemaking and enforcement, manage licensure data and coordination, maintain financial records and fiscal policies, and charge fees and oversee multistate license renewals (Art. 9, Sec. 1604.001).

• Specifies that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is the Cosmetology Licensure Compact administrator for the state of Texas (Sec. 1604.002).

• Authorizes Texas’ right to withdraw from the compact by executive proclamation or other executive action rescinding states consent to the compact by the governor (Sec. 1604.003).

• Establishes effective date as September 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text