DelawareSB 217153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.

Cosmetology discipline can stop interstate work

States can restrict a cosmetologist's work locally; only the home state can discipline the multistate license it issued. Home-state discipline turns off work authorization in other member states until restrictions are removed; alternative-program participation suspends it during participation. The home state must treat reports from other states like local misconduct reports. States can investigate together, share evidence, finish investigations after moves, and enforce subpoenas across state lines to protect consumers. Where state law allows, licensees can owe investigation and case-resolution costs; subpoena costs and witness fees follow the served state's law.

Cosmetologists gain interstate access with requirements

A home-state multistate license lets cosmetologists work in all Compact member states, following each state's allowed services and restrictions. Applicants must live in a member state and hold an active home-state license without disciplinary restrictions. They must meet home-state training requirements, pass a national licensing exam, and complete required background checks. Renewals require continuing competency and compliance with state and Commission rules. Single-state licenses do not grant interstate rights, but remain available under state law.

Cosmetologists get time when states exit

States can lose membership after notice, help, failed correction efforts, exhausted alternatives, and a majority delegate vote. A terminated state must immediately notify multistate licensees and recognize Compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice. Voluntary withdrawal requires a repeal law and cannot take effect until 180 days after enactment. Withdrawing states must notify licensees, recognize Compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice, and continue required reporting through withdrawal. States retain investigation and reporting duties for covered conduct; terminated states still owe obligations incurred through termination, including those continuing afterward.

Military cosmetologists can keep home-state licensing

Active military members and their spouses can choose a state where they hold a current cosmetology license in good standing. They can keep that state as their Compact home state during an active-duty assignment. This provides an exception to the usual home-state change tied to moving.

Cosmetologists can face separate licensing fees

The Commission can charge cosmetologists to get or renew a multistate license. Member states can also charge their own license and renewal fees. A state can charge for a required test on state law. The law sets no fee amounts and does not require every state to charge a fee.

Moving cosmetologists must reissue interstate licenses

Cosmetologists moving between member states must immediately apply for a reissued multistate license and notify their former home state. The new state checks eligibility and can require background checks or a test on state law for initial licensing. Required fees apply, and the former multistate license is deactivated when the new one is issued. Licensees can have only one home state and one multistate license at a time. Those who cannot qualify, or move to a nonmember state, must follow the new state's single-state licensing rules.

Shared cosmetology commission gains funding powers

The law creates a joint Commission, with one delegate per member state, to run the Compact after its effective date. It can hire staff, contract, adopt rules, manage records, and bring or defend legal cases. It can accept grants and donations and assess states annually, using a rule-set formula to cover budget costs alongside licensee fees. It must secure funding before taking on obligations, keep accounts, undergo annual independent audits, and cannot pledge state credit without authority. Commission personnel receive liability protection and covered legal defense, except for intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct; licensees remain liable for malpractice.

Cosmetology records shared with privacy safeguards

The Commission must run a shared database and assign each multistate-license applicant a unique identifier. States must report and update identity, license history, discipline, alternative-program dates, denial reasons, and required investigation information. Criminal history must be left out of denial reports when sharing is legally prohibited. States can restrict public access to contributed records, and legally expunged information must be removed. Certified database records are accepted as authenticated business records in legal proceedings.

States must follow shared cosmetology rules

The Compact takes effect upon enactment by the seventh state; amendments require enactment by all member states. Members must regulate cosmetology, investigate complaints, require training and exams, review criminal history, discipline, or background checks, and share records. States must accept qualifying licensees and enforce binding Commission rules; conflicting state requirements are replaced only where they conflict. Commission rules use public notice and hearings, not state rulemaking procedures; emergency rules can reach back up to 90 days. States retain control over allowed services, with court-confirmed rule conflicts unenforceable; material departures from the Compact can lead to denied or ended membership.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Eric Buckson
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Alonna Berry
Democratic • House
William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Bryant L. Richardson
Republican • Senate
David L. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Lyndon D. Yearick
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 59 • No: 0

House vote • 5/21/2026

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/23/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor
6/10/2026Governor
Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
5/21/2026House
Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 3 On Its Merits
5/19/2026House
Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House
4/30/2026House
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
4/23/2026Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 3 Favorable
3/25/2026Senate
Introduced and Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate
1/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

Current
1/28/2026
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