Monday, August 10, 2026 Minutes - Maryland State Board of Barbers

A meeting of the State Board of Barbers was held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:00 am via teleconference for members of the public. Board members attended the meeting virtually via teleconference.

Board Member Attendees

Mr. Larry Franklin, Chairperson- Industry Member (Absent)
Mr. Andrew Campbell—Industry Member (Absent)
Mr. Wade Menendez—Industry Member
Ms. Toni Wallace - Industry Member
Mr. Channing Trent—Industry Member
Ms. Lanine Swann - Consumer Member

Other Staff Attendees
Ms. Nicole Fletcher - Executive Director (Absent)
Ms. Breona Scott - Assistant Executive Director
Ms. Leslie Braxton - Licensing Supervisor
Mr. Kenneth Sigman - Advice Counsel
Ms. Daniece Jefferson - Board Administrator
Ms. Renee Robertson - Continuing Education Coordinator

Agenda

Quorum Announced and Meeting Called to Order
A quorum was announced by Assistant Executive Director Ms. Breona Scott, and the meeting was called to order at 10:13 A.M.

Approval of Agenda

Assistant Executive Director Ms. Breona Scott requested a motion for approval of the August 10, 2026, agenda. Mr. Wade Mendez made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Toni Wallace, and the agenda was unanimously approved.

Approval of June 8, 2026 Minutes

Assistant Executive Director Ms. Scott requested a motion to approve the June 8, 2026, meeting minutes. A motion was made by Ms. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Mendez, and the motion was unanimously approved.

New Business

1. RECAP OF JUNE 8, 2026 MEETING

Assistant Executive Director Ms. Breona Scott provided a recap of the June Board meeting and an update regarding the Board’s testing vendor procurement process. Ms. Scott explained that the Request for Proposals (RFP) remains open and is currently in the question-and-answer phase. Once proposals are received, an evaluation committee will review the submissions and recommend a vendor. The Board approved a new administrative process allowing staff to dismiss complaints involving inspection violations that are fully corrected within the required 10-day correction period. Complaints involving unlicensed activity, unresolved sanitation violations, prohibited services, interference with inspectors, or other significant violations will continue to be referred to the Complaint Committee. The Board also voted to hold committee meetings monthly to improve efficiency and reduce the time required to review complaint matters. Since there are sometimes not enough complaints received by the Barber Board, the process is still being determined. Ms. Leslie Braxton developed the Complaint Committee process and will notify the Complaint Committee of any changes to the meetings.
The Board received the Review Committee’s recommendation regarding the barber curriculum submitted by Transformation Beauty and Barber Academy in Edgewood, which was addressed under Old Business. Ms. Scott announced that Jacob Guy has accepted another position within the division and is no longer serving as the Board Administrator. The Board welcomed Ms. Daniece Jefferson to the team. Ms. Jefferson will now handle complaints, apprenticeships, and the responsibilities previously handled by Mr. Guy. There is also a vacancy for a consumer member following the departure of Ms. Yasmin Young. A consumer member position is currently open for the Complaint Committee process.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ROSTER UPDATE

Ms. Scott provided an administrative staff roster update, noting that Ms. Daniece Jefferson began her position effective June 17th. Ms. Scott also announced that Ms. Peggy Dall'Acqua is no longer serving as Board Counsel. Mr. Kenneth Sigman is serving as interim legal counsel until the Department hires a permanent replacement. The Board thanked Ms. Dall'Acqua for her dedication and service and wished her the best in her future endeavors.
Additionally, the Board’s investigative team has been expanded with the addition of Kimberly Waller as a full-time investigator, along with Kevin Houchens and Nadia Trent, who have joined as PDM investigators. The Department is also in the process of posting an additional full-time contractual investigative position, which is expected to be available on the Department’s website soon. The two Per diem investigators are still completing the HR process and are expected to be onboard within the next few weeks.

3. MHEC-CONVERSION FROM CLOCK HOURS TO CREDIT HOURS

Ms. Scott explained MHEC’s conversion from clock hours to credit hours, stating that MHEC has recently begun receiving inquiries from cosmetology schools and private career institutions interested in converting their programs from clock hours to academic credit hours. Private career schools are permitted to measure instructional time using either clock hours or credit hours with approval from the Secretary of Higher Education, provided that a consistent conversion methodology is used and all requirements continue to meet the established educational competency standards. Ms. Scott then opened the discussion for the Board to provide their views on the matter. The Board stated that they are not opposed to the conversion as long as the timeframe for obtaining licensure and the licensing requirements do not change. Mr. Trent asked whether the conversion would affect reciprocity in the future regarding credit hours and whether any such changes would be clearly identified.

4. APPRENTICE APPROVED SPONSOR LIST

Ms. Scott provided an update regarding the newly established Apprentice Approved Sponsor List, which is available on the Department’s website and will be updated monthly. Sponsors completing the apprenticeship Jot Form may elect to have their name, email address, license number, and ZIP code included on the list for apprentices seeking a sponsor. Ms. Wallace inquired about marketing the list to increase public awareness. Ms. Scott stated that information may be included in an upcoming newsletter and that she would consult with Department staff regarding additional permissible outreach through the Department’s website and social media.

Old Business

1.  2027 LEGISLATION PROPOSAL

i. INACTIVE LICENSE STATUS
Mr. Sigman provided an overview of the proposed legislation establishing an inactive license status for barbers and cosmetologists. The proposal would allow licensees to place their licenses on inactive status while maintaining the license, subject to requirements for reinstatement. The Board discussed the purpose, fees, eligibility requirements, enforcement concerns, and potential impact on unlicensed practice.
The Board expressed concerns regarding the need for an inactive status for barbers, enforcement of inactive licenses, and the potential impact on the industry. After discussion, Ms. Scott requested a motion to take a position in opposition to the inactive license status. Mr. Channing Trent made a motion in opposition to the inactive license legislation. Ms. Toni Wallace seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

ii. REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP

Mr. Sigman and Ms. Scott provided an overview of the proposed registered apprenticeship pathway, which would establish an additional pathway to barber licensure through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. Ms. Roseanne Fish, Interim Deputy Director of the Office of Apprenticeship, provided an overview of the registered apprenticeship model, including employer sponsorship, on-the-job training, related instruction, wage requirements, and program oversight.
Ms. Fish explained that registered apprenticeship programs require structured on-the-job training and related instruction and are developed in partnership with employers, sponsors, educational providers, and the applicable licensing board. She also discussed potential funding opportunities for related instruction and explained that the program would be developed in consultation with the Board to ensure that licensing requirements are met.
The Board discussed apprentice accountability, employer costs, wage requirements, related instruction, curriculum development, and whether graduates should be required to pass the licensing examination. The Board indicated that graduates should be required to pass the licensing examination.
The Board agreed to table further discussion of the registered apprenticeship proposal until the October meeting. Ms. Fish was invited to participate in the continued discussion.

2.  GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT UPDATE

Ms. Scott provided an update regarding gainful employment reporting requirements. Implementation of the reporting requirements has been delayed until 2030 following feedback and concerns from schools, institutions, and other stakeholders regarding the reporting requirements and implementation timeline. No action was required by the Board. Staff will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional guidance becomes available.

3.  TESTING VENDOR RFP UPDATE

Ms. Scott provided an update regarding the testing vendor Request for Proposals (RFP). The Board has not yet selected a testing vendor, and the procurement process remains ongoing. PSI remains the current testing vendor.

4.  INSPECTION SUMMARY

Ms. Leslie Braxton, Licensing and Investigative Supervisor, provided the Board’s inspection summary for the period of June 5 through August 7, 2026.