Bowling kills occupational licensing bill in Senate: House Bill not yet affected.

State Senator Bowling announced Friday, Feb 14 that the proposed that Senate Bill 1914, authorizing certain individuals or businesses to perform work without being licensed or certified, was “effectively killed” in the Senate. The bill would have removed licensing for many professions such as cosmetologists and barbers, tattoo artists, realtors and brokers, medical professionals, and many more. The bill would have required parties to enter into a written agreement stated that the person performing services was unlicensed, and the customer waived any liability they may acquire while receiving services, except for any malpractice done “intentionally or maliciously.”

Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) is quoted saying “My intention in signing this bill was to only use it as a vehicle later in session to address any specific needs by opening up sections of Tennessee law dealing with occupational licensing. It was never my intention to run the bill in its current form. An amendment would have been necessary to significantly change its scope.” Bowling received quite a bit of backlash from the cosmetology community about the bill, and states she feels there was confusion about the bill from “well-intentioned people” and for that reason she placed the bill in a General Subcommittee “where it will not be acted upon, effectively killing the bill.”

The bill was filed for introduction on Tuesday January 28th, and placed in a general subcommittee on Friday (February 14th), killing the legislation. The companion bill HB1945 has not yet been affected, but any bill that passes through the House must pass through the Senate. Since the Senate killed the legislation, the bill will not progress. If the House passes the bill, and the Senate were to change their stance on the matter, it would have to be signed by the Governor.