Hair Braiding Freedom Coalition Calls on the New Jersey Legislature to Pass Occupational Licensing Reform

Trenton, N.J. – Today, Generation Opportunity and Institute of Justice are supporting the bi-partisan launch of the New Jersey Hair Braiding Freedom Coalition at a press conference at the State House. The press conference will feature New Jersey professional hair braiders who have been harmed by overly-burdensome occupational licensing requirements.

New Jersey has made it illegal for hair braiders to earn a living from their braiding skills unless they spend thousands of dollars and attend 1,200 hours of government-mandated cosmetology training, which does not teach hair braiding. Hair braiding is safe and natural, uses no dyes or chemicals, and enables hard-working New Jerseyans to provide for their families. Today, 23 states to not require any license for braiders.

Following the press conference, activists from the new coalition will meet with and ask members of the New Jersey legislature to pass A-4421/S-3136 and meaningful occupational licensing reform.

WHAT: Press Conference Announcing the Launch of New Jersey Hair Braiding Freedom Coalition

WHEN: Today, Monday, 26, at 12:00 PM EST

WHO:

• New Jersey hair braiders who have been harmed by occupational licensing requirements
• Institute of Justice Assistant Director of Activism Brooke Fallon
• Generation Opportunity Director of Policy Engagement David Barnes

WHERE: Annex Courtyard in front of the fountain, State House, Trenton, New Jersey

RSVP:  if you would like to cover the event or have any questions about this, please contact Clay Sutton at csutton@genopp.org or 540-236-8227

BACKGROUND:

According to Institute for Justice, New Jersey is one of the most “extensively and onerously licensed” states in the country. IJ found that “[for] six occupations, New Jersey has the most burdensome requirements. The state also licenses 25 occupations that a majority of other states choose not to license.”

Generation Opportunity believes that many occupational licensing laws are simply unnecessary in the modern economy. These burdensome requirements essentially function as government permission slips that hurt millions of Americans – especially young people, military families, immigrants, and those seeking a second chance after running afoul of our broken criminal justice system.