STATE BILLHI HB 1697ENGROSSED

Relating To Natural Hair Braiding.

Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs on sanitation, health, and safety. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Status: Engrossed; Passed its first chamber
Status date: Mar 10, 2026; 247 days ago
Current chamber: Senate
Session: 2026 Regular Session

HI HB 1697 · EngrossedMar 10

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Bill details

Last action: Referred to CPN. · Mar 12, 2026
Pending committee: Commerce and Consumer Protection

Sponsor

LILinda IchiyamaRepresentative · Democrat · HD-031Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

Mar 12, 2026Referred to CPN.Senate

Mar 12, 2026Passed First Reading.Senate

Mar 12, 2026Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 268).Senate

Mar 10, 2026Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.House

Mar 5, 2026Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1).House

Mar 5, 2026Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 896-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.House

Mar 4, 2026The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Pierick.House

Mar 2, 2026Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 03-04-26 2:00PM in conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.House

Show 5 earlier actions

Feb 24, 2026The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.House

Feb 20, 2026Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 02-24-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.House

Jan 26, 2026Referred to CPC, referral sheet 1House

Jan 21, 2026Introduced and Pass First Reading.House

Jan 20, 2026Prefiled.House

Subjects

Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Natural Hair Braiding
Exemption from Licensure
Registration

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