Chair Taylor opened a public hearing May 1 on House Bill 2380 A, which would create a provisional certificate issued by the Health Licensing Office and administered under rules adopted by the board of cosmetology, allowing a provisional certificate holder to work under the supervision of an active certificate holder while completing licensure requirements.

Representative Bobby Levy, House District 58, testified in support, saying the measure "is a much needed step toward expanding opportunities in the workforce, removing unnecessary barriers, and ensuring that inspiring professionals can gain hands on experience while working toward full licensure." Levy said the bill is intended to help rural areas where cosmetology schools are not available, and noted the measure becomes operative Jan. 1, 2027, "declares an emergency, and is effective on passage."

Chris Hofstadter, representing Anastasia Salons, Summit Salon Academy and the Association of Oregon Cosmetology Colleges, testified in opposition. Hofstadter raised cost concerns for employers and trainees, saying the bill “does not specify who pays the cost” of required textbooks and training materials and warned that small, often women- and minority-owned salons may lack capacity to absorb additional insurance and training costs. He added that some cosmetology schools and career-technical programs were not included in drafting the measure and urged further engagement with educators.

Senator David Brock Smith, who joined the hearing, described a rural access problem that motivated the bill: he told the committee that in some Southwest Oregon communities the nearest cosmetology school is three to four hours away and praised the bill as creating a path for apprenticeships when a licensed practitioner has five or more years in practice and is more than 50 miles from a school.

Committee staff said the bill came from the House with a recorded 54 aye votes and six excused. Chair Taylor said the committee will hold a work session on the bill next Tuesday to continue consideration.

The hearing record included staff detail that the bill requires the board of cosmetology to adopt rules establishing a process for the Health Licensing Office to issue provisional certificates and sets supervision requirements; the measure contains a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact, according to staff summary.

Supporters and opponents both emphasized protecting training quality and health standards; opponents requested clearer funding and operational details for how textbooks, insurance and supervision would be handled in small businesses and by community colleges. The committee closed the public hearing and scheduled a work session for the following Tuesday.