Outlaw Manicurist, round 2

[KBCraig]

(Posted here because it's of general interest. If moderators prefer, move it to NH Politics.)

While it's not what we would hope for, it's a huge incremental step. I give Michael Fisher credit for setting this in motion.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=A+trim+off+the+top%3a+Fewer+regulations%2c+more+barbers&articleId=430f023a-4e8f-4d70-9476-428c6a2ce7bc

A trim off the top: Fewer regulations, more barbers

LADIES OF New Hampshire, you should urge your state representative to pass Senate Bill 43. Passage of that bill will make the men of New Hampshire better looking.

SB 43 was written to increase the state's supply of barbers by reducing regulations the state imposes upon them.

Current law requires 1,500 hours of education to become a barber, plus another 3,000 hours of apprenticeship. All that just to cut hair? Amazingly, yes. Which is why there is a shortage of licensed barbers in New Hampshire, according to the state cosmetology board. Men who just want to cut hair, not curl it or dye it or perfume it, are opting for other work rather than undergo hundreds of extra hours of education and training for techniques they will never use.

Senate Bill 43, to be considered in the House on Wednesday, cuts the required education for a barber's license by 700 hours and the required apprenticeship by 1,400 hours. It then creates the separate category of master barber for anyone who meets the old standards for education and training.

The current mandates, as could have been predicted, reduced the supply of barbers by setting up an unreasonable barrier for entry into the craft. Lowering that barrier is long overdue. And if it creates more barbers, which it certainly will, it might even improve the scenery around here, too. Ladies, the number for the State House is 271-3661.

[Kat Kanning]

Cool

[Recumbent ReCycler]

It's about time.  The only two barbers that I know of in Strafford County are old enough to retire.  Who knows when they will decide to close up shop.  Maybe they are waiting for someone to come along to buy their businesses.  I usually cut my own hair because I can't afford to pay some stylist $35 every other week to cut my hair, and I'm usually working when the barber shops are open.

[Dave Ridley]

Heh heh   

ripple effect   

[LiveFree]

Because, ya know, those freaking unlicensed barbers are just destroying peoples' lives.  Can't the market ensure we have quality barbers better than government?  I mean, seriously, if you don't like your haircut, you're not going to use the same person, right?  Or if you don't think they're good enough to justify your price, you find someone else.  It's not like unlicensed doctors where you run the risk of getting permanently messed up.

[d_goddard]

http://www.generalcourt.org/bills/2007/SB43

Really, all they've done is split one category "Barber" into two categories: "Barber" and "MASTER Barber"

"Barber" peons' 800 hours of training allows them to ONLY do:

(a) Shaving or trimming the beard or cutting the hair;
(b) Giving facial or scalp massages or treatment with oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations, either by hand or mechanical appliances; or
(c) Shampooing, arranging, dressing, or styling.

Master Barbers still need the 1,500 hours of training; it allows them to additionally do the following advanced, presumably dangerous, procedures:   

(d) Applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays, or lotions to scalp, face, or neck, or removing superfluous hair from the face and neck of any person; or
(e) Styling, waving, curling, straightening, or bleaching the hair by mechanical or chemical means.

[error]

Hardly the most libertarian bill I've ever seen, but it's definitely a chip off the iceberg.

[Dreepa]

A close shave:
http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/REPOSITORY/705180301&SearchID=73281756704649

Talks about a man getting a shave in Concord.
Read the part about have a license.

[error]

The bill has passed both House and Senate, but I haven't heard if the governor has signed it yet.

If not, I'm perfectly willing to get a haircut from an unlicensed barber right on his desk.

[d_goddard]

The bill was "enrolled" on May 3.
I think that means by default it became law on May 8 (the Gov has 5 days to veto)

[error]

They're a bit behind on the news, but...
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2007/07/26/free-stater-arrested-for-performing-illegal-manicure/

[d_goddard]

The bill has become law:
Signed by the Governor on 05/21/07; Eff. Date 07/20/07, Chapter 0047

They're a bit behind on the news, but...
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2007/07/26/free-stater-arrested-for-performing-illegal-manicure/

Please digg it!!! Cato articles generate a lot of interest.
http://digg.com/politics/Free_Stater_arrested_for_performing_illegal_manicure

[jsorens]

Possible candidates for future licensing disobedience (these are all occupations that NH licenses that at least some other states do not license at all):

Auctioneer
Embalmer
Forester
Funeral Director
Geologist
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
Insurance Broker
Water & Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Systems Operator
Acupuncturist
Counselor, professional
Counselor, Alchohol & Drug
Counselor, Pastoral
Counselor, Substance Abuse
Dietitian
Massage Therapist
Nurse, practitioner
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Optician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physician Assistant
Respiratory Therapist
Social Worker
Speech Language Pathologist
Therapist, Marriage & Family


Outlaw Dietitian, anyone? 

Or an Outlaw Masseur/Masseuse! So many choices...

[dalebert]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UA10BaPkbI0

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XkSfEs1naQI

[J’raxis 270145]

Possible candidates for future licensing disobedience (these are all occupations that NH licenses that at least some other states do not license at all):

Auctioneer
Embalmer
Forester
Funeral Director
Geologist
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
Insurance Broker
Water & Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Systems Operator
Acupuncturist
Counselor, professional
Counselor, Alchohol & Drug
Counselor, Pastoral
Counselor, Substance Abuse
Dietitian
Massage Therapist
Nurse, practitioner
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Optician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physician Assistant
Respiratory Therapist
Social Worker
Speech Language Pathologist
Therapist, Marriage & Family


Outlaw Dietitian, anyone? 

Or an Outlaw Masseur/Masseuse! So many choices...

I'd recommend trying to put these in order of the severity of harm caused by someone failing at each of these jobs, and take them in the order from least to worst. If we get these licensing requirements overturned, opponents will be ready and waiting to say "we told you so!" when someone does a lot of damage that, according to said opponent, would have been prevented had such person been licensed.

There's little harm an unlicensed manicurist or unlicensed funeral director can cause, but we do not want to see headlines like "Unlicensed acupuncturist paralyzes patient" or "Waterborne illness sickens 1500, treatment plant operator unlicensed" in tomorrow's paper.