MLive file photo (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

A bill making its way through the Michigan legislature may soon allow natural hairstylists to expand their business by removing current “common sense” regulations preventing them from washing a client’s hair.

Senate Bill 1113 would allow a “natural hair culturist”— or someone who performs braiding, twisting, weaving or locking on natural hair— to include shampoo services in their business.

Although this could seem basic to some, under current Michigan law natural hairstylists aren’t able to wash hair, only style it.

Bill sponsor Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, said he first learned of the issue natural hairstylists face when he was approached by a salon owner in his district who said the restriction was preventing her from doing business.

“It’s very difficult if the client has to go back home and have the hair washed,” Victory said. “That should all be done at one time and one location and still abide by reasonable health codes.”

Victory said that allowing stylists to wash hair is a simple service that natural hairstylists should be able to perform, unlike the application of dyes or chemicals— which is still prohibited without a license under this legislation.

“I believe we should be able to remove some of this burden of regulation and allow that process to be completely done in house,” Victory said.

There are no other Republicans who are currently co-sponsoring the bill, but there are a handful of Democrat co-sponsors, one of those being Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit.

Like Victory, she also sees the legislation as a way to grow businesses and lend a hand to those wanting to pursue natural hair styling as a trade skill.

As a Black woman, she’s heard firsthand the conversations in hair salons and barber shops about the added stresses of what it’s like to need to come to a hair appointment already washed. This is especially true, Santana said, as natural hair continues to become more prevalent in the Black community.

“I think that what we’ve seen across the board is that, culturally, we’re moving away from the chemical-based products in our hair as people are understanding those products may have a negative impact on us,” Santana said. “This legislation, to me, is very common sense.”

Santana said she’s glad to work on this issue with her Republican colleague and commends him for the work he’s done on behalf of his constituent, despite not personally having those experiences himself.

“I say kudos to Senator Victory for that,” Santana said. “I hope we do get the legislation passed because it is the right thing to do and I think it expands opportunities for those who are in the field that want to grow in this industry.”

As a white man, Victory admits he’s “not an expert” when it comes to natural hair, but that this bill is a way to assist business owners in growing with the help of additional services.

“Just learning about it and then seeing this provision that we have at the state level that prevents the hair washing component,” Victory said. “This is where I think we need to get this resolved for the client, for the business owner and for all those involved.”

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