Res. No. 599

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.8573/A.8624-A, in relation to the practice of natural hair care and braiding.

By Council Member Louis

Whereas, “Natural hair” is hair that has not been treated by chemicals or heat styling that may alter its natural curl patterns and typically refers to hair textures most commonly associated with Black people, according to the New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR); and

Whereas, Natural hair has specific and significant cultural meaning in Black communities and natural hairstyles such as cornrows, locs, twists, afros and bantu knots have connections to history, identity and religion, according to the CCHR; and

Whereas, Black adults, schoolchildren, and members of the military have long been discriminated against because of their natural hairstyles, according to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; and

Whereas, In 2019, New York State enacted the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on natural hair style and texture; and

Whereas, The prevalence of natural hair styles is increasing, and 40 percent of Black women wear their hair in a natural style, according to market intelligence agency Mintel; and

Whereas, It is important to have qualified professionals who are educated, trained and licensed to care for diverse natural hair textures; and

Whereas, According to a survey commissioned by TRESemmé, 86 percent of Black women have had challenges finding consistent, quality haircare at salons; and 

Whereas, New York State requires a Natural Hair Styling license for professional hair braiders and other hair styling professionals who perform services such as “arranging, dressing, twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding the hair or beard by either hand or mechanical appliances;” and

Whereas, To obtain a Natural Hair Styling license in New York, applicants must be at least 17 years old, undergo a physical examination by a physician or nurse, provide a social security number or Federal ID number, and complete a 300-hour approved course of study and pass both written and practical exams or document that they have five years of professional natural hair styling experience; and

Whereas, A report published by African Communities Together and TakeRoot Justice found that New York’s Natural Hair Styling license was out of reach for many experienced African hair braiders in New York City due in part to the difficulty of obtaining the documentation required to waive the coursework requirement; and

Whereas, S.8573, introduced by Senator Lea Webb and pending in the New York State Senate, and its companion bill A.8624-A, introduced by Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow and pending in the New York State Assembly, would make it easier for skilled stylists and those from diverse cultural backgrounds to apply for the license by streamlining the requirements for experienced braiders to document prior experience; and

Whereas, At the same time, S.8573/A.8624-A would expand the educational requirements for natural hair care and braiding specialists by adding modules on infection and bacteriology, alopecia and scalp disorders and diseases, salon health and safety protocols and the science of sanitary practices; and

Whereas, S.8573/A.8624-A would establish an apprenticeship program for trainees to learn from licensed natural hair styling professionals during their course of study; now, therefore, be it,

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.8573/A.8624-A, in relation to the practice of natural hair care and braiding.

NEM

LS 16505

5/7/2024