SALONS Stories Act
The SALONS Stories Act would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide additional federal grants to states that require domestic violence prevention training as part of the licensing process for cosmetologists and barbers. The training must be offered at no cost to the trainee and be delivered by a nonprofit anti-domestic violence organization. The act defines eligible states as those with a law mandating such training and would allow the Attorney General to increase a state's grant by up to 10% of the state’s average annual funding under the existing grant program, for a 1-year term that can be renewed, with a limit of up to 3 years of grant increases per state. Funding availability is required, and the bill authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2032. The intent is to leverage the licensing process in beauty industries as a mechanism to educate aspiring professionals about recognizing and responding to domestic violence and referring victims to resources.
Key Points
- 1The bill creates grant increases for states that require domestic violence prevention training in cosmetologist and barber licensing.
- 2Training requirements: online or in-person, provided at no cost by a nonprofit anti-DV organization, covering recognition, response, and referral to DV resources.
- 3Eligibility: states must have a law mandating DV prevention training for cosmetology/barber licensure; includes U.S. states, DC, Puerto Rico, and territories.
- 4Grant mechanics: increases up to 10% of the average total funding the state received under the current grant program (based on the three most recent awards); term is 1 year, with possible renewal; cap of 3 years of grant increases per state.
- 5Funding: authorized appropriations of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026–2032, subject to fund availability.