SACRAMENTO, California - Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) is preparing to send his bill, AB 518, to the governor for signing as it has completed its final legislative hurdle passing the state senate on a floor vote of 37-0.

Assembly Bill 518 eliminates the sunset date from the law exempting the practice of hair threading through regulation by the Board of Cosmetology.

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal predominant in the South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.  A cotton thread is used to remove hair from its follicle; the thread is twisted and pulled along a row of unwanted hair.  The process does not involve the use of heat or chemicals making hair threading a reliable and a non-invasive procedure. 

In 2003 Governor Davis signed AB 282 excluding the practice of threading from the jurisdiction of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.  In 2006 Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1793, which clarified the definition of hair threading to include the incidental trimming of eyebrow hair.  Previously, a person who performed threading faced heavy fines for using scissors to trim eyebrow hair. 

Last year, Assemblyman Mendoza authored AB 265, a bill Governor Schwarzenegger agreed with and signed, extending the sunset on this provision to July 1, 2009.

“Threading is a much sought after and growing component of the health and beauty industry and remains a critical source of revenue for many small businesses and their communities,” said Assemblyman Mendoza.  “Throughout the committee process I have provided the many letters of support I have received from beauty salons throughout the state of California as evidence of the relevance of this bill and believe this bill, if enacted, would serve consumers and the businesses that offer the service.”

AB 518 passed both the Senate and Assembly with widespread bipartisan support. The governor has 12-days to sign the bill into law from the date he receives it on his desk.

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is a former teacher that proudly serves the communities of Norwalk, Buena Park, Cerritos, Santa Fe Springs, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens and portions of Whittier and Lakewood.