PennsylvaniaSB 3312025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; and providing for the form of the compact.

Sponsored By: David G. Argall (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.

Cosmetologists gain access across state lines

Pennsylvania joins a compact that lets qualifying cosmetologists work across member states with one multistate license. Applicants need an active home-state license with no restrictions and must follow each state's rules on allowed services. Single-state licenses remain available. The act takes effect immediately; the compact takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. Pennsylvania's activation also requires the Governor to execute it, a verified copy to be filed, and the other state to ratify it. The Secretary must publish notice when the activation conditions are met. Pennsylvania's board must adopt temporary rules and begin accepting applications and issuing compact privileges within one year of the implementing paragraph's effective date.

Cosmetology discipline can halt multistate work

Only the home state can discipline the multistate license itself; another member state can restrict practice within its borders. Home-state discipline deactivates permission to practice in other member states until all license restrictions are removed. Participation in a diversion or corrective program suspends the multistate license for the program's duration. States must share complaints and investigation information, and the home state must address misconduct reported by another member state. States can conduct joint investigations and use subpoenas as state law allows. A state where the cosmetologist practices can recover investigation and case costs only when discipline results and state law permits recovery.

Military cosmetologists keep their home state

Active-duty service members and their spouses can choose a licensing home state where they hold a current license in good standing. They can keep that choice while either spouse is on an active-duty assignment. This helps preserve their compact licensing arrangement during military moves.

Cosmetologists and states face compact fees

Cosmetologists must pay applicable application, processing, and renewal fees for multistate licenses; the law sets no dollar amounts. The commission can set license fees by rule, and home states can charge license, renewal, and state-law assessment fees. Moving primary residence to another member state can trigger background checks and state-law requirements to reissue the license. Applicants who fail those requirements must seek a single-state license in the new state. The commission can also charge member states annual assessments for operating costs not covered by other revenue, using a rule-based formula. Other funding includes grants and donations; the commission cannot pledge states' credit beyond available funds.

Legal claims against licensing officials limited

The commission and covered officials and workers receive broad protection from lawsuits over acts within their commission duties. Personnel are also covered when they reasonably believe their acts fall within those duties. The commission must defend covered personnel and pay qualifying settlements or judgments. Protection does not cover intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct, and cosmetologists remain liable for professional malpractice. States keep their sovereign immunity, while the commission and member states can seek compact enforcement in federal court.

Cosmetologists face binding interstate licensing rules

A joint state commission, with one voting delegate per member state, administers the compact and adopts binding rules. These rules bypass each state's usual rulemaking process, and the compact overrides conflicting state requirements while leaving others enforceable. The commission cannot set education or professional licensing standards; courts can block rules that conflict with state laws on allowed services. A rule loses force everywhere if a majority of member-state legislatures rejects it within four years after adoption. The commission can adopt emergency safety rules and must establish mediation and binding dispute procedures, as appropriate, to help states resolve compact disputes.

Cosmetology records shared with privacy limits

Member states must send a central system license status, discipline, corrective-program dates, denials, and notices of investigative information. Each multistate applicant gets a unique identifier, and states must monitor the system for disciplinary actions. Investigative information is restricted to member states, and contributing states can restrict public sharing of designated records. Prohibited criminal-history reporting is barred, and legally expunged information must be removed. Certified commission records count as authenticated business records and qualify for a hearsay exception in member-state proceedings.

State exits limit cosmetologists' license access

A state can leave by repealing its compact law; withdrawal takes effect 180 days after enactment. It must notify licensees, keep reporting investigations and discipline through withdrawal, and recognize compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice. The commission can deny participation when a state's constitutional requirements materially depart from the compact. Removing an existing member requires default procedures: written notice, a chance to fix the problem, exhausted compliance efforts, and a majority vote. A terminated state must notify affected licensees, recognize compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice, and meet obligations incurred through termination.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

David G. Argall
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Elder A. Vogel Jr.
Republican • Senate
Greg Rothman
Republican • Senate
Jay Costa
Democratic • Senate
Judith L. Schwank
Democratic • Senate
Lynda Schlegel Culver
Republican • Senate
Rosemary M. Brown
Republican • Senate
Wayne D. Fontana
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 0

committee vote • 3/24/2026

26 0

Yes: 26 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Senate Bill 331 PN1426, Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

committee vote • 3/17/2026

22 0

Yes: 22 • No: 0

committee vote • 2/4/2026

14 0

Yes: 14 • No: 0