Indiana cosmetology bill killed

INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) – After a large outcry of opposition, the bill that would have made it so cosmetologists and other professions would not need to be licensed in Indiana was withdrawn by author Rep. David Wolkins Wednesday.

If Indiana House Bill 1006 had been passed, license fees would not have been collected from cosmetologists, barber, dietitians, hearing aid dealers and private investigators.

In a fiscal impact statement attached to the introduced version of the bill, in 2011, these licenses generated over $1 million of Indiana revenue.

Rep. Wolkins released a statement Wednesday in which he explained that it was the large opposition from mostly cosmetologists that helped make his decision and was happy to see such involvement from Indiana professionals.

An excerpt of the statement read:

“I believe in less government, which is where the idea behind House Bill 1006 came from. This issue, however, has been all over the media because of the loud, public outcry opposing the bill. Those in opposition mainly included cosmetologists. They came to the Statehouse last week to give public testimony against the bill. I have to say, it was a refreshing scene to see cosmetologists take over the Statehouse versus the usual union protesters. They were polite and respectful, and were given their opportunity to speak.

The best part of the democratic process is allowing the public to speak for or against legislation. So I was pleased to see such an outpour of public testimony and cooperation.

Even though I agree with the overall goal of the legislation—that being less government involvement—I understand that this is not the year to do it, and this is not the legislation to do it with. I decided to withdraw the bill because we can do better.”

House Bill 1006 was set to go into effect in July of 2012.