Rhode IslandH58332025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- MOBILE COSMETOLOGY AND BARBERING SERVICES .

Sponsored By: Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Mobile beauty providers must meet sanitation rules

Mobile providers and units must follow board sanitation rules, use blood-borne germ precautions, and keep a basic first aid kit. Remote rooms need a clean, empty sink with hot and cold running water that customers can easily reach. Providers must disinfect reusable tools after each customer, wipe and cover remote work surfaces before services, and wash linens after each use. Single-use tools must be used where feasible; ultraviolet-only disinfection and formalin or formaldehyde are prohibited. Mobile units need proper lighting, ventilation, washable surfaces, and hand-washing facilities, and cannot contain living quarters, food, or animals other than service animals. Narcotics, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are prohibited near services. Providers must keep a notice visible explaining Rhode Island Department of Health sanitation and safety requirements and where customers can file complaints.

Mobile salon vehicles need safety equipment

Mobile salon vehicles need board registration, inspection, and approval before use, and must meet applicable fixed-shop standards. Each workstation needs at least 25 gallons of potable water, with hot water available on demand. Units also need a flush chemical toilet with a holding tank, wastewater and chemical tanks, proper waste disposal, and a covered waste-and-hair container. Services must stop when potable water runs out and cannot resume until it is refilled. Units must be parked with stabilizing jacks down during services; customers cannot ride inside, and a no-service-while-moving sign is required. Operators must maintain vehicle registration, insurance, and annual inspections, send copies to the board, and meet vehicle, plumbing, electrical, fire, health, and local permit rules. Units must display board approval and carry an itinerary listing the vehicle plate and the prior week's service details.

Mobile beauty businesses face registration rules

Effective upon passage, the law requires mobile beauty providers and businesses to register and get board approval before operating. Providers need the proper professional license; apprentices need registration, approval, and on-site supervision by the proper licensed professional. Providers must display their original license and carry their approved mobile registration and government photo ID. The board may require criminal-history reviews or applicant appearances. Registrations cannot transfer: new owners must apply at least 30 days before ownership changes and get written approval before continuing services. Required approval, worker, appointment, itinerary, vehicle, and insurance records must stay at a permanent Rhode Island business address for five years. The board or Division of Professional Licensure can inspect records without advance notice; an authorized representative must sign inspection slips.

Mobile beauty providers face service limits

Mobile services are limited to approved vehicles or customer-selected indoor rooms in permanent buildings outside licensed shops. Providers cannot repeatedly use those rooms as unlicensed shops or home salons; mobile services exclude electrolysis. Basic hair washing, cutting, drying, arranging, and styling are allowed in remote rooms, along with barber shaving. Hair coloring, waving, relaxing, and other chemical processing are barred in remote rooms and require a fully compliant mobile unit. Remote skin-care services are limited to basic facials, facial waxing, and makeup. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, comedone extraction, body waxing, and intense pulsed light hair removal require compliant mobile units. Both settings allow only basic manicures and pedicures; wheeled chairs are banned except wheelchairs with locked wheels, and care must match the location's risks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mary Ann Shallcross Smith
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Karen Alzate
Democratic • House
Jennifer Boylan
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 67 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2025

BUSINESSES & PROFESSIONS PASSAGE