ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Barbers, cosmetologists and other licensed beauty professionals in Maryland will be required to complete domestic violence awareness training beginning Jan. 1, 2026, under legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law this year.
The requirement, established under House Bill 1547, mandates at least one hour of training as part of licensure and renewal through the Maryland Department of Labor. State officials say the course must be taken from an approved provider and is intended to help licensees recognize signs of domestic abuse, understand appropriate responses and know how to refer clients to professional resources.
Supporters of the measure say salons and barbershops often serve as trusted spaces where victims may disclose abuse long before contacting law enforcement or social services.
“People talk to their barber or stylist,” said Christian Tillery, a Maryland barber interviewed by WBAL-TV. “We’re like street psychiatrists. Having tools to handle those conversations properly matters.”
Maryland joins a growing list of states that have adopted similar requirements for the beauty industry.
Illinois implemented a one-hour domestic violence training requirement for many cosmetology licensees after legislation passed in 2016, with continuing education rules following. Tennessee now requires domestic violence training for beauty professionals as part of licensure compliance, with the state warning that failure to complete the course can invalidate a license. Arkansas mandates domestic violence and sexual assault awareness training for cosmetology students and includes legal protections for licensees who act — or choose not to act — in good faith. Washington state has approved a one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course tied to certain beauty licenses.
Advocacy groups backing the measures argue the training is about awareness, not intervention. Programs such as the Professional Beauty Association’s “Cut It Out” initiative emphasize that stylists are not expected to investigate abuse, confront suspected abusers or give legal advice — only to recognize warning signs and share support resources when appropriate.
Not everyone in the industry supports the mandate.
“I’m here to provide a professional service to hair, beauty and skin,” said Annette Moneski, a longtime Maryland stylist and salon owner, in a WBAL-TV interview. Moneski questioned whether the state should require training that could blur professional boundaries or create legal and safety concerns for licensees.
Some salon owners have also raised concerns about additional costs, time burdens and the fear of mishandling sensitive situations — particularly for independent operators without corporate legal support.
State officials counter that the training is brief, standardized and designed to reduce risk by clearly defining what beauty professionals should and should not do.
Domestic violence advocates say the policies reflect a broader national effort to expand early-intervention awareness beyond traditional healthcare and education settings.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner violence during their lifetime — a statistic often cited by lawmakers backing the training.
The Maryland Department of Labor is expected to release final guidance on approved training providers and compliance procedures ahead of the 2026 start date.