BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3581

By: Johnson, Julie

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut most in-person gatherings down, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) implemented flexible distance learning policies. A constituent in House District 115 was able to move her business 100 percent online and spend personal resources to create high-quality videos to incorporate into her curriculum and expand her student pool while also keeping her brick and mortar location open for students who wanted to learn in-person and practice their skills with supervision. However, in the fall of 2022, TDLR ended these temporary pandemic policies, thus preventing students from taking advantage of distance learning options. After the end of this temporary accommodation, only a portion of the hours for an eyelash extension specialist license may be taught through distance education. In part, this ensures students are able to get sufficient hands-on practical training and instruction from their schools. C.S.H.B. 3581 seeks to allow schools offering an eyelash extension training program to teach up to 100 percent of the theory portion of their curriculum through distance education, while still requiring students to take an in-person, practical component.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3581 amends the Occupations Code to require a school offering an eyelash extension application training program for an eyelash extension specialist license to determine the following:

· the number of hours to be designated as the theory portion, which may be provided through distance education; and

· the number of hours to be designated as the practical portion, which must be provided through in-person instruction.

The bill requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, not later than December 31, 2023, to adopt rules to implement that requirement. The bill applies only to the curriculum content requirements for a student who registers for an eyelash extension application training program on or after January 1, 2024.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3581 differs from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways.