A4587 increases the required training hours for licensure in cosmetology-hairstyling and massage and bodywork therapy from 500 hours to 600 hours. This change aligns with federal aid eligibility for individuals seeking these licenses.
The New Jersey State House of Representatives passed A4587 on June 28, 2024 by a vote of 67 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government regulation over private industry, restricting free-market competition. By increasing required training hours, A4587 imposes unnecessary financial and time burdens on individuals seeking to enter or advance in these professions, limiting market access and discouraging entrepreneurship. It also exemplifies how federal funding comes with strings attached, pressuring states to comply with federal mandates at the expense of individual and economic freedom.
