IJ-AZ Untangles Burdensome Barrier

June 2004

IJ-AZ Untangles Burdensome Barrier

Inspired by the Institute for Justice Arizona Chapter’s (IJ-AZ) advocacy, a new law in Arizona now exempts hairbraiders from the State’s outdated cosmetology scheme.

Last December, IJ-AZ filed a lawsuit on behalf of hairbraider Essence Farmer to untangle Arizona’s onerous cosmetology regime. Arizona required hairbraiders to attend 1,600 hours of classroom instruction, costing in excess of $10,000, not one hour of which taught anything about braiding. Allowing only licensed cosmetologists to braid hair was irrational because licensed cosmetologists graduate without learning a single thing about braiding.

The Institute for Justice’s efforts in the court of public opinion and a column by the Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts prompted Representative Deb Gullett (R-Phoenix) to introduce the recently passed legislation.

Thanks to IJ-AZ’s work reinvigorating Arizona’s entrepreneurial spirit, Essence will soon be operating Rare Essence Braiding Studio.