S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         4411
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   February 4, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M. of A. TOWNS, ALFANO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A.
         COOK -- read once and referred to the Committee on  Economic  Develop-
         ment, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry
       AN ACT to direct the conducting of an evaluation of the need for educat-
         ing barbers on the health and safety aspects of their trade
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Legislative findings.  The legislature finds that, as  part
    2  of  the state's commitment to protecting the public health, it is impor-
    3  tant to ensure the health and safety of both barbers and their  clients.
    4  The  legislature also finds that the safe use and sterilization of sharp
    5  instruments and knowledge of the proper  techniques  to  prevent  trans-
    6  mission of infection and disease are significant public health concerns.
    7    The  legislature  further  finds that, because most barbers choose the
    8  option of entering the trade by apprenticing to a master barber,  rather
    9  than  attending  an  accredited barber school, there are many practicing
   10  barbers who have had no formal training and education in the health  and
   11  safety aspects of their trade. In addition, there is no requirement that
   12  barbers  complete  periodic  refresher  courses in the health and safety
   13  aspects of barbering.
   14    S 2. The secretary of state, in cooperation with the  commissioner  of
   15  health and the commissioner of education, or their designees, and repre-
   16  sentatives of the licensed barbering industry and barber educators shall
   17  conduct  a  thorough evaluation of the need for educating barbers on the
   18  health and safety aspects of their trade. The secretary of  state  shall
   19  report  the  findings of this evaluation to the governor and legislature
   20  no later than April 1, 2010, including, but not limited to,  recommenda-
   21  tions  on  course content and the required number of hours and frequency
   22  for taking a course, if it is determined that such education  is  neces-
   23  sary in order to safeguard public health.
   24    S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD01966-01-9