New York lawmakers have approved tougher regulation of nail salons, intended to help protect some 40,000 workers, many of them female immigrants, from getting shorted on pay and otherwise mistreated.
State law will be amended for the appearance enhancement industry, including manicurists, hair stylists and cosmetologists.
For nail salons, the bill specifically authorizes the states to shut down unlicensed operators and those lacking liability insurance, while adding sex trafficking and compelling prostitution to the list of criminal convictions that prohibit licensing.
Manicurist trainees will have to earn a certificate to work under a licensed nail practitioner. A year's active training and completed course will qualify trainees for licenses.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
