DES MOINES – Governor Terry Branstad eased state restrictions and regulations on hair braiders.
Using a line item veto in a budget bill, Branstad eliminated requirements on persons who earn money braiding hair. He wrote:
“I am unable to approve the (bill) in its entirety. This item requires Iowans who perform natural hair braiding to take an annual course and be subject to discipline and inspection by the Department of Public Health; these requirements are unnecessary. Licensing and regulations should only be mandated when necessary to serve public health or safety. Natural hair braiding does not require government mandates, regulations, or licensing. Subsection 1 of Section 12 exempts the profession of natural hair braiding from the 2,100 hours of training needed under current Iowa law for a cosmetology license and effectively ends licensing for natural hair braiding.”