Barbers and hair stylists will no longer be restricted to brick-and-mortar locations under a new law that allows mobile hair salons and barbershops to be rolled out throughout New Jersey in November 2022.
The legislation, S-2996/A-5019, allows licensees of the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to provide services in specially equipped trucks or trailers if there is a minimum 75 square feet of floor space, a restroom, hot and cold running water, and other sanitary requirements are met.
“This law allows small business owners a new way to deliver necessary services to consumers in a safe and accessible manner,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas.
NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said NJBIA worked closely with the bills’ sponsors and the Salon & Spa Alliance to get the new law enacted. NJBIA also fought for fairer industry operating rules when salons faced new regulatory hurdles during the pandemic.
Both houses of the Legislature unanimously approved the mobile salon bill in June and Gov. Phil Murphy signed it on Monday. The new law takes effect in one year.
Siekerka said the state-mandated closure of barber shops and hair salons in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated why it was important for these businesses to have alternate ways to serve clients on a one-on-one basis. Even once the pandemic is no longer a concern, many customers will still prefer mobile salons that come directly to them, she noted.
“Consumers will be provided with increased flexibility, convenience and accessibility to professional cosmetology and hairstyling services,” Siekerka said. “NJBIA thanks the sponsors who we worked closely with on this bill, as well as the New Jersey Salon and Spa Alliance for their valuable input.”
The bills were sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa (R-1); Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3); Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1); Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro (D-3); and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-37).
Previously, NJBIA was instrumental in helping the Salon and Alliance secure a one-year extension on licensing permits that expired during the pandemic. After strong lobbying by the Alliance and NJBIA, temporary licensing permits that expired were also reinstated by the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling under an administrative order issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs.
