Celebrating Senate Bill 14: A Dream Realized Through Love, Care, and Relentless Effort

Yesterday, a dream that seemed impossible became a reality. The signing of Senate Bill 14 by Governor Andy Beshear at the Kentucky State Capitol is a testament to the power of collective effort, unwavering dedication, and the support of countless individuals. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the beauty industry and small businesses in Kentucky.

The journey to this moment was anything but easy. It took immense love, care, and relentless effort—day in and day out. From countless meetings, driving across the state, making phone calls, and holding Zoom and Google Meet sessions, the dedication shown by everyone involved was truly remarkable. This bill, which many thought could never be passed, has now become one of the top pieces of legislation emphasizing the support that small businesses in Kentucky desperately need.

Our advocacy efforts included:

• Over 20 meetings with 100+ nail technicians, estheticians, cosmetologists, instructors, and community members.
• Peaceful protests in challenging weather conditions to raise awareness.
• Thousands of emails and letters sent to legislators and officials.
• Extensive media coverage, both national and local.
• Four new board members appointed to the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology, with the anticipation of adding the first nail technician and esthetician in history.
• The first Asian woman appointed to the board.
• Ongoing discussions about multi-language licensing exams, showing promising prospects.
• Increased awareness and unity in the beauty industry, advocating for fair treatment by the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology.
• Garnering support from thousands of licensees and community members nationwide, and many from Louisville Beauty Academy, Kentucky State-Licensed and State-Accredited Beauty College.

These efforts led to the unanimous support for Senate Bill 14, a law primarily written to protect the beauty industry and ensure fair legal procedures for all licensees, salons, and schools. Effective in July 2024, this law also adds two new seats for a Nail Technician and an Esthetician to the board, expanding it to a 7-member board.

A Call for Continued Advocacy

While we celebrate this significant achievement, it is crucial to remember that our work is not done. The Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology has not had a representative from the Louisville community for over 20 years. As the largest city in Kentucky, Louisville deserves representation on the board to ensure fair and inclusive governance.

For the two newly added seats for a Nail Technician and an Esthetician, I urgently call on everyone to write letters to Governor Andy Beshear’s office, nominating themselves or others who are licensed nail technicians and estheticians from Louisville. The Governor's office can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected].

I, as a Kentucky State Licensed Nail Technician for over 20 years and a state-licensed Nail Technician instructor, urge you to take this opportunity seriously. You can nominate myself, yourself, or others whom you know best to serve in these roles, especially from Louisville.

Current Board Members:

• Kerry Harvey, Chair - Consumer
• Mickey Hobbs, Salon Owner
• Lindsey Morgan, Salon Owner
• Vacant, Nail Technician
• Joni Upchurch, Technical Education
• Lianna Nguyen, School Owner
• Vacant, Esthetician

For more details, please visit the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology website.

In Closing

I extend my heartfelt thanks to God, to each one of you involved, to our state, and to our beautiful city. I appreciate the love, care, and relentless efforts put forth for each other and the small business community. This victory is a testament to what we can achieve together, but it also highlights the importance of continuing our advocacy for an inclusive and fair government.

Let's celebrate this achievement, but more importantly, let’s continue to push for the representation we deserve. Your involvement and support remain as crucial as ever in ensuring a fair and inclusive governance structure for all.

We are also delighted to share this news with the Louisville Beauty Academy, a Kentucky State-Licensed Beauty College, dedicated to staying up to date with the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and beauty laws at both the state and federal levels. This achievement underscores our commitment to excellence and compliance, ensuring our community benefits from the highest standards of beauty education and practice.

Disclaimer: Louisville Beauty Academy does not endorse or support specific candidates for the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology. All information shared is for informational purposes only. For inquiries about Kentucky state laws or regulations, contact the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology at [email protected].

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. Together, we can create a brighter, fairer future for the beauty industry and our community.

Here is the updated media coverage list for Senate Bill 14 progress from 2023 to today:

1. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/kentucky-nail-salon-owners-technicians-senate-bill-14/417-0d6235be-2649-48ad-b5a3-c15fb2d1f35a
2. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/04/05/laws-for-the-beauty-industry-
3. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/24rs/SB14.html
4. https://louisvillebeautyacademy.net/louisville-beauty-academy-a-beacon-of-inclusivity-and-excellence-celebrating-spectrum-news-coverage-and-the-unanimous-passage-of-senate-bill-14/
5. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/05/10/lianna-s-nail-school-florence
6. https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3400161628017-gov-beshear-passes-bill-updating-regulations-for-nail-salons-in-kentucky
7. https://online.fliphtml5.com/ahotm/vkgc/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2MfxkjJCUsf9g3Je6Q0ElnD0QKJOb9z8B82hlpU_oT-zjNHtRmiL9mRo0_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw#p=63
8. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/04/05/laws-for-the-beauty-industry-
9. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/senate-bill-14-passes-kentucky-legislature-nail-technicians-to-receive-opportunity-on-state-board/417-0e12847d-cccb-448b-838a-f6f86bc9d7df
10. https://nkytribune.com/2024/02/opinion-john-schickel-sb-14-secures-a-fair-and-just-environment-for-kentuckys-small-businesses/
11. https://www.wkyt.com/2024/03/07/kentucky-house-committee-passes-bill-that-would-make-changes-state-cosmetology-board/
12. https://www.whas11.com/video/news/local/bill-to-help-nail-technicians-passes-kentucky-senate-heads-to-house/417-c7c57ea6-238b-455f-a2a1-b9e1352e8dce
13. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/senator-gerald-neal-bill-proposes-changes-to-kentucky-board-of-cosmetology/417-d4ad5bb4-76cb-48c3-b76e-61e05b9db9a4
14. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/politics/2024/02/06/changes-to-the-state-cosmetology-board-could-be-coming
15. https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/beshear-appoints-former-justice-cabinet-secretary-to-cosmetology-board/
16. https://www.lanereport.com/170837/2024/02/governor-appointed-leaders-to-kentucky-boards-and-commissions/
17. https://www.facebook.com/SenatorSchickel/posts/pfbid02xMvWo3JSDoGCKDRS5rP5rvk6v3UfHC6X8Ffxxyz17XSCvXdBUnodvLyKcxd6qNqUl
18. https://www.pbs.org/video/nail-tech-industry-asks-for-policy-changes-pjplv0/
19. https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/kentucky-nail-technicians-demand-licensing-tests-be-offered-in-multiple-languages/
20. https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-kentucky-board-of-cosmetology
21. https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-kentucky-board-of-cosmetology
22. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2023/09/11/kentucky-legislators-meet-with-hundreds-of-mail-technicians-for-policy-concerns-
23. https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/politics/2024/01/22/nail-technicians-call-for-state-regulation-changes-
24. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/focus/kentucky-nail-salon-cosmetology-board-louisville-bullying-racism-allegations/417-075ae5dc-5ccf-4d56-8801-5b42cd1b1075
25. https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/kentucky-nail-techs-go-head-to-head-with-the-board-of-cosmetology/
26. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/senator-gerald-neal-bill-proposes-changes-to-kentucky-board-of-cosmetology/417-d4ad5bb4-76cb-48c3-b76e-61e05b9db9a4
27. https://vietbaolouisville.com/2024/01/beauty-and-brains-the-heartfelt-advocacy-of-kentuckys-highly-educated-beauty-professionals/
28. https://vietbaolouisville.com/2023/10/upholding-democracy-the-crucial-role-of-voting-in-the-immigrant-and-asian-communities/
29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aoZjjY8Jyo
30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TESXE40VG1g
31. https://www.facebook.com/SBTNOfficial/posts/pfbid02b7VDqw7ma46jmdr37ehcNniX4PMoUhVUWbeRwM9593hpoy4p5c84n9sta9dtToeSl
32. https://vietbaolouisville.com/2023/09/community-advocacy-empowering-the-passage-of-a-senate-sponsored-bill-in-kentucky/
33. https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/kentucky-nail-techs-go-head-to-head-with-the-board-of-cosmetology/
34. https://www.facebook.com/KYSenateDemocrats/posts/pfbid02WMWjVnuHabeqNAa2yrRZyZiRosZufAeewZjEyWJAbLQXVSmeMvjvBkg2RALR3hkCl
35. https://fb.watch/sngUFBoh3I/