All Roll Calls
Yes: 195 • No: 0
HawaiiSB 28762025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)SenateWALLET
RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.
Sponsored By: Donna Mercado Kim (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Board of Barbering and CosmetologyNatural Hair BraidingExemption from LicensureRegistrationSanitation, Health, and Safety PracticesCPC
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Service limits and fines for braiders
Natural hair braiders cannot provide services that require a separate barbering or cosmetology license or permit. They cannot advertise in a way that misleads customers into thinking they offer those licensed services. A citation can bring up to $500 per violation; a written hearing request is due within 20 calendar days after service. Other chapter or rule violations carry fines of $500 to $2,000 per violation. Specified sex-offense convictions or sex-offender registration automatically revoke registration or block renewal, restoration, or reinstatement. Restoration, renewal, and reinstatement are permanently barred for people required to register as sex offenders or whose offense involved a current or former client, when a former-client relationship ended mainly to commit the offense.
Hair braiders face new registration rules
Starting January 1, 2028, Hawaii natural hair braiders must register. People with a chapter 439A license or permit are exempt. Braiding includes extensions, wig-making, and related topical products, but not chemical treatments or chemical hair-joining. By November 1, 2026, the board must set approved sanitation, health, and safety courses. Applicants must show course completion and pay a board-set fee. Registrants must follow sanitation rules, display their certificates, and renew by December 31 of each odd-numbered year with required continuing education and a fee. A lapsed registration can be restored within one year by paying required fees; after that, a new registration is needed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Donna Mercado Kim
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Lynn DeCoite
Democratic • Senate
Samantha DeCorte
Republican • Senate
Troy N. Hashimoto
Democratic • Senate
Angus L.K. McKelvey
Democratic • Senate
Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 51 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 51 • No: 0
House vote • 4/9/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 3/31/2026
The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 074, 06/03/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1174).
6/3/2026SenateAct 074, on 06/03/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1174).
6/3/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/8/2026SenatePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 873).
4/29/2026SenateThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lamosao, Keohokalole, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/29/2026SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/29/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 91-26).
4/29/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
4/29/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 91-26) as amended in (CD 1).
4/29/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
4/29/2026HouseHouse Conferees Appointed: Matayoshi Chair; Grandinetti, Pierick.
4/28/2026HouseBill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-29-26 3:45PM in conference room 224.
4/28/2026HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: Lamosao Chair; Keohokalole Co-Chair; Awa.
4/23/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 740).
4/23/2026HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 711).
4/16/2026SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/16/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
4/16/2026HousePassed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
4/14/2026HouseReported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1970-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
4/9/2026HousePassed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).
4/9/2026HouseThe committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.
3/31/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB2876_CD1
SB2876_HD1
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