§ 5-10-29. Persons exempt from chapter.
(a) The provisions and penalties of this chapter do not apply to licensed physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, registered nurses, or natural hair braiders, when acting within the scope of their professions or occupations as defined by law.
(b) Natural hair braiding. Natural hair braiding is a service of twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair by hand or with mechanical devices.
(1) Natural hair braiding includes:
(i) The use of natural or synthetic hair extensions, natural or synthetic hair and fibers, decorative beads, and other hair accessories;
(ii) Minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions incidental to twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair;
(iii) The use of topical agents, such as conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos in conjunction with hair braiding;
(iv) The making of wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions; and
(v) “Mechanical devices” means clips, combs, crochet hooks, curlers, curling irons, hairpins, rollers, scissors, blunt-tipped needles, thread, and hair binders.
(2) Natural hair braiding is commonly known as “African-style hair braiding” but is not limited to any particular cultural, ethnic, racial, or religious forms of hair styles.
(3) Natural hair braiding does not include:
(i) The application of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other preparations to alter the color of the hair or to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair; or
(ii) The use of chemical hair joining agents, such as synthetic tape, keratin bonds, or fusion bonds.
(c) Any violation of this section shall result in a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first violation, one hundred dollars ($100) for a second violation, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each subsequent violation.
History of Section.P.L. 1926, ch. 765, § 18; P.L. 1927, ch. 1026, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 263, §§ 15, 19; P.L. 1942, ch. 1229, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 5-10-29; P.L. 2019, ch. 108, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 127, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
Chapter 5-10 - Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmeticians, Manicurists and Estheticians
Section 5-10-1. - Definitions.
Section 5-10-4. - Board of barbering and hairdressing — Compensation of members.
Section 5-10-6. - Meetings of board — Time and notice of examinations.
Section 5-10-7. - License required for practice.
Section 5-10-8. - Issuance of licenses — Qualifications of applicants.
Section 5-10-9. - Classes of licenses.
Section 5-10-9.1. - License portability.
Section 5-10-10. - Application form — Fee — Expiration and renewal of licenses — Fees.
Section 5-10-11. - Persons licensed in other states.
Section 5-10-12. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-13. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-14. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-15. - Licensing of shops.
Section 5-10-16. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-17, 5-10-18. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-19. - Application forms.
Section 5-10-20. - Electrolysis not permitted by license.
Section 5-10-21. - Advertising.
Section 5-10-22. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-23. - Fixed place of business.
Section 5-10-24. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-25. - Inspection powers of the division — Denial of access.
Section 5-10-26. - Revocation or suspension of license, permit, or certificate.
Section 5-10-27. - Reinstatement after revocation or suspension.
Section 5-10-29. - Persons exempt from chapter.
Section 5-10-30. - Penalty for violations.
Section 5-10-31. - Prosecution of violations.
Section 5-10-32. - Enforcement of chapter.
Section 5-10-33. - Payment of fees.
Section 5-10-34. - [Repealed.]
Section 5-10-35. - Severability.