Why We Oppose Bill HB 5438, HB 5818, & 5819:

And now more than ever, especially during a worldwide pandemic —

We are Michigan licensed barbers in the industry. We oppose House Bill 5438 which would allow untrained/unlicensed individuals to practice barbering services.

The current national system ensures that professionals holding licenses as a barber have received structured professional training in a public or private licensed school and have passed the required test established by state regulation. 

Unlicensed barbers are ineligible for liability and malpractice insurance. Unlicensed barbers will be at a disadvantage for workforce development and safety. The Michigan Barber Examiners would have no recourse or jurisdiction over the individual, even if presented with a consumer complaint. (This puts shops like ours at risks as we are licensed and would not be able to hire unlicensed individuals anyways. Deregulation would not promote economic opportunity as Rep. Johnson suggests.)

Without training or accountability, Michigan consumers are placed at risk for infection and contagious blood born diseases. Safety concerns are real, and valid. (Especially during COVID-19 as we have been mandated to shut down by the State)

Occupational licensing for barbers in Michigan is not a barrier, nor a deterrent. 

Please support and protect the safety of Michigan barbers and consumers, oppose HB 5438 sponsored by Representative Steven Johnson.