A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-13-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING COSMETOLOGY AND COSMETOLOGISTS SO AS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR "MOBILE SALON" AND "PORTABLE COSMETOLOGIST, ESTHETICIAN, OR NAIL TECHNICIAN OPERATION"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 40-13-365 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR PERMITTING AND REGULATION OF MOBILE SALONS AND PORTABLE COSMETOLOGIST, ESTHETICIAN, OR NAIL TECHNICIAN OPERATIONS.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 40-13-20 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (11) "Mobile salon" means a self-contained unit in which the practice of cosmetology or its component practices is conducted, which may be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another.

    (12) "Portable cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician operation" or "portable operation" means equipment used in the practice of cosmetology that is transported from a salon or from a mobile salon and is used on a temporary basis at a location including, but not limited to:

       (a) a client's residence;

       (b) a client's short-term residence;

       (c) a place of business;

       (d) a special event venue; or

       (e) another institution or location as may be authorized by the board.

 

SECTION 2.  Chapter 13, Title 40 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 40-13-365. (A)(1) A person, firm, corporation, or association may operate a mobile salon pursuant to a permit issued by the board. A person, firm, corporation, or association may apply to the board for a mobile salon permit by submitting an application on a form prescribed by the board and paying the initial permit fee. The application shall include:

           (a) the name of the mobile salon's designated manager who shall be responsible for compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations, for all services provided in the mobile salon, and for all personnel working in the mobile salon;

           (b) the home address of the applicant, provided that including the applicant's home address on the application does not authorize the applicant to conduct business at his home address;

           (c) an official business address other than a post office box. If an address different than the official business address is used for official business, then that address must also be provided; and

           (d) the mobile salon's business telephone number. If other telephones are used in the operation of the mobile salon, then the numbers for those telephones must also be included.

       (2) Prior to issuing a mobile salon permit the board shall conduct an inspection of the mobile salon. Once permitted, a mobile salon must be inspected annually.

       (3) Upon the approval of the application and a successful inspection, the board shall issue the applicant a biennial mobile salon permit which must be conspicuously displayed in the mobile salon.

       (4) A mobile salon permit must be biennially renewed by submitting a renewal application on a form prescribed by the board and paying a permit renewal fee.

       (5) A permitted mobile salon is subject to unannounced inspections.

       (6) A mobile salon is prohibited from operating within eyesight of the nearest registered salon.

       (7) A mobile salon permitee must notify the board in writing within thirty days of the last day of operations of the permittee's mobile salon.

    (B)(1) An individual may operate a portable operation if the individual:

           (a) is licensed pursuant to this chapter to engage in cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician services;

           (b) does not have a physically stationary office at the location where the cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician services are provided; and

           (c) has been issued a current portable operation permit.

       (2) An individual may apply to the board for a portable cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician operation permit by submitting an application on a form prescribed by the board and paying the initial permit fee. The application shall include:

           (a) the home address of the applicant, provided that including the applicant's home address on the application does not authorize the applicant to conduct business at his home address;

           (b) the portable operation's business telephone number. If other telephones are used in the operation of the portable operation, then the numbers for those telephones must also be included; and

           (c) a designation of the solon or mobile salon in which he is based.

       (3) Upon application approval, the board shall issue a permit card to be carried by the cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician when practicing cosmetology pursuant to his permit.

       (4) A portable cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician operation permit must be biennially renewed by submitting a renewal application on a form prescribed by the board and paying a permit renewal fee.

       (5) The temporary location at which the portable operation permitee is providing services must have sufficient facilities to allow for the services provided to be performed in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.

    (C) A cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician may provide only those services in a mobile salon or portable operation within the scope of his credential type.

    (D) A mobile salon or portable operation permittee shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to the practice of cosmetology and with all applicable flammability, construction, sanitation, zoning, or infectious waste management guidelines; Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines; and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The permittee shall maintain any applicable county and city licenses or permits, including business licenses, to operate the mobile salon or portable operation.

    (E) A mobile salon or portable operation permittee shall maintain a written or an electronic record of the street addresses where cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician services will be provided during any two-week period.

    (F) A permit issued pursuant to this section is not transferable. If a mobile salon is sold, the new owner shall apply to the board for a permit before providing cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician services through the mobile salon.

    (G) A cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician who violates a provision of this section or a regulation promulgated by the board pursuant to this section is subject to disciplinary action as may be determined by the board.

 

SECTION 3.  The board shall promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this section including, but not limited to, establishing permit application and renewal fees, and establishing the safe operation, equipment, and sanitation requirements.

 

SECTION 4.  This act takes June 1, 2025.

----XX----