During the week of July 15-18, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law legislation sponsored by state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, to address the lack of barber-teachers in Pennsylvania.

“I’m thrilled to see my legislation signed into law,” Mako said. “I have been working on this issue for the past four legislative sessions.

“The number of barber-teachers will now increase so that Pennsylvanians will have an easier time finding a barber in the future.”

Act 66 of 2024 lowers the age an applicant is eligible to take the barber-teacher examination from 23 to 18 years of age; reduces the minimum training hours to become a licensed barber-teacher from 1,250 to 500 hours; allows people currently holding both a cosmetology and barber license to obtain a barber-teacher license if the person completes the training and examination required for licensure as either a barber-teacher or cosmetology teacher; and allows a barber-teacher currently licensed in another state with substantially similar licensing requirements as Pennsylvania to be granted a barber-teacher license with examination.

The law goes into effect in 60 days.

***

The 183rd House District includes Lowhill and North Whitehall townships and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County.

It also consists of Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) townships, and Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.