Hair braiding bill stalls in Illinois House despite Senate approval

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A bill that would have eliminated the need for licensed hair braiders has stalled in the Illinois House.

House Bill 3356 would have removed the requirement that hair braiders receive 300 hours of classroom and practical experience to practice their trade.

The bill passed the Senate in May.

Advocates for the bill argued that striking the education requirement would allow more people to enter the workforce, since many African-Americans develop the skill throughout their lives.

Opponents said deregulation would open the industry to unsafe risks.