Northhampton News

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at addressing the shortage of barber instructors in the state. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Zach Mako from Lehigh and Northampton counties, seeks to alleviate this issue by amending current requirements for becoming a licensed barber-teacher.

“I’m pleased to see this bill advance from the House,” stated Rep. Mako. “It’s past time we address the issue of a lack of barber-teachers before it’s too late. For four legislative sessions, I have sponsored legislation on this topic. This version addresses some concerns raised by the State Board of Barber Examiners. I’m hopeful everyone is on board now. Without barber-teachers, there are no barbers. I urge the Senate to take action so that finding a barber in the future doesn’t become next to impossible.”

House Bill 327 proposes several changes: lowering the minimum age requirement for taking the barber-teacher examination from 23 to 18 years; reducing required training hours from 1,250 to 500; allowing those with both cosmetology and barber licenses to obtain a barber-teacher license upon completing necessary training and examinations; and permitting individuals already licensed as barber-teachers in other states with similar standards to be granted licensure in Pennsylvania after an examination.

The bill now awaits consideration by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Rep. Mako represents parts of Lehigh County including Lowhill and North Whitehall townships and Slatington Borough, as well as portions of Northampton County such as Allen, East Allen, Lehigh, Moore (part) townships, Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton, and Walnutport boroughs.

For more information or media inquiries regarding this legislation, contact Tracy Polovick at 717-260-6358 or via email at tpolovick@pahousegop.com.