In an effort to combat the devastating impact of domestic violence, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have reintroduced legislation aimed at encouraging domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists and other beauty professionals.
The legislation, unveiled ahead of Valentine’s Day, aims to address the widespread issue of domestic violence, which affects one in four women in the U.S. and tragically claims the lives of three women every day due to intimate partner violence.
Lawmakers say recognizing the signs of abuse and understanding how to respond can be crucial to helping victims find the support and resources they need to escape dangerous situations. Beauty professionals often serve as trusted figures in their communities, and their unique position allows them to notice subtle signs of abuse that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The legislation, known as Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor Stories (SALONS) Stories Act, builds on a successful program from Tennessee that started in 2022.
The Tennessee initiative trained over 50,000 beauty professionals, including hairstylists, barbers and nail technicians, to identify signs of domestic abuse and provide appropriate support. The training focused on teaching workers to recognize the subtle indicators of abuse, understand how to approach victims with sensitivity and know what resources are available to help.
By reintroducing the SALONS Stories Act, lawmakers seek to broaden the reach of this life-saving training nationwide. The bill would provide federal grants to states that implement laws mandating domestic violence awareness training for cosmetologists, encouraging the widespread adoption of similar programs across the country.
“We must do everything we can to prevent human trafficking. That includes thinking outside the box so we can reach the people who need help the most,” Sen. Klobuchar said in a statement. “This bipartisan legislation is another step in the fight to end trafficking by increasing the number of beauty professionals who are trained to identify and intervene in domestic violence.”
While the legislation provides federal support, it also respects states’ rights to set their own standards for cosmetology education. The goal is not to mandate a one-size-fits-all solution, but to provide states with the resources to implement and sustain their own domestic violence training programs.
The flexibility of the bill allows each state to tailor its program to best meet the needs of local beauty professionals and communities while still fostering consistency in raising awareness of domestic abuse.
The legislation is also sponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
“Given their close relationship with their clients, beauty professionals have the unique opportunity to be a first line of defense against domestic violence by identifying the signs of abuse and helping victims and survivors escape dangerous situations,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The SALONS Stories Act would help save the lives of vulnerable and isolated women across the country, and the nation should follow Tennessee’s lead by equipping cosmetologists to recognize and support victims of domestic violence.”