As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. B. No. 47

2025-2026

A BILL

To amend sections 3332.031, 3333.046, 4709.05, and 4713.07 and to enact section 3314.033 of the Revised Code to require disclosure of the for-profit status of community school operators and post-secondary educational institutions on various promotional materials and contracts for employment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That sections 3332.031, 3333.046, 4709.05, and 4713.07 be amended and section 3314.033 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3314.033. The department of education and workforce shall adopt rules requiring any community school with a for-profit operator to disclose on the school's official web site, all promotional digital and print media, and contracts for instruction, the fact that the community school's operator is a for-profit business. The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text on the school's official web site, promotional digital and print media, and contract for instruction, excluding the name of the school, and shall be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw the attention of the reader. The disclosure shall read as follows: "(Name of Community School Operator) IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO."

The department shall adopt rules requiring promotional digital and print media for any community school with a for-profit operator that is published by any person or entity not affiliated with the community school to include the disclosure: "A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO." The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text in the advertisement.

Sec. 3332.031. The state board of career colleges and schools shall:

(A) Adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter;

(B) Establish minimum standards for the registration and operation of private career schools including but not necessarily limited to standards to ensure school financial stability;

(C) Issue certificates of registration to private career schools pursuant to division (A) of section 3332.05 of the Revised Code;

(D) Suspend or revoke the certificate of registration of schools pursuant to sections 3332.09 and 3332.091 of the Revised Code;

(E) Establish minimum standards for certificate, diploma, and degree programs offered by schools;

(F) Issue program authorization pursuant to divisions (B) and (C) of section 3332.05 of the Revised Code;

(G) Suspend or revoke program authorization for schools pursuant to sections 3332.09 and 3332.091 of the Revised Code;

(H) Establish minimum standards, including but not necessarily limited to a code of ethics, for agents employed by schools registered under this chapter to reasonably ensure that such agents provide adequate, ethical, and accurate information to prospective students;

(I) Grant permits to agents pursuant to sections 3332.10 and 3332.11 of the Revised Code;

(J) Suspend or revoke an agent's permit pursuant to section 3123.47 or 3332.12 of the Revised Code;

(K) Monitor recruitment and admissions practices of schools holding certificates of registration to ensure compliance with this chapter and the rules of the board;

(L)(1) Adopt rules requiring all schools to provide all applicant students, prior to their signing enrollment agreements, written information concerning the school's graduation and placement rates for each of the preceding three years and any other information the board deems pertinent.

(2) Adopt rules requiring all schools to provide any student or applicant student, prior to the signing of any financial aid, grant, or loan application, written information concerning the obligations of a student obtaining such financial aid, grant, or loan.

(3) Upon request, a school shall furnish the board with a copy of all information required by this division. The board shall monitor schools to ensure their compliance with this division.

(M) Adopt a rule requiring all schools to include, in the enrollment agreement, notice that any problems the student is having with the school, or complaints the student has about the school, may be directed to the board, which notice shall include the telephone number of the executive director of the board;

(N) Report annually to the governor and the general assembly on the activities of the board and private career schools, and make legislative recommendations when necessary to enable the board to better serve the student population and the schools registered under this chapter;

(O) Adopt a rule requiring a uniform tuition refund policy for all schools subject to this chapter. In adopting the rule, the board shall consider the tuition refund policies effectuated by state-supported colleges and universities. Each school subject to this chapter shall furnish to each prospective student, prior to the signing of an enrollment agreement, a copy of the tuition refund policy.

(P) Adopt a rule establishing minimum standards for all faculty and instructional staff in all instructional programs at a school. In the case of full-time faculty members employed for degree programs, such standards shall include all of the following:

(1) A prohibition against employing on or after July 1, 1993, any new full-time faculty member to teach the general study portion of any degree program, unless the person holds a master's degree in the subject matter discipline or holds a master's degree in education with proficiency in the subject matter discipline demonstrated in accordance with the standards adopted by the board.

(2) Except as provided under the standards adopted pursuant to division (P)(3) of this section, a prohibition against employing or reemploying on or after July 1, 1998, any full-time faculty member to teach the general study portion of any degree program, unless the person holds a master's degree in the subject matter discipline or holds a master's degree in education with proficiency in the subject matter discipline demonstrated in accordance with the standards adopted by the board.

(3) Standards under which the board, upon written request submitted to the board prior to July 1, 1994, by any school, may exempt the school from the prohibition adopted pursuant to division (P)(2) of this section with regard to any individual full-time faculty member employed by the school who has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance in the general study portion of any degree program at the school for a period of at least six years prior to July 1, 1993.

(4) Definitions of "full-time faculty member," "new faculty member," and any other term the board considers necessary to define.

(Q) Adopt a rule prohibiting a school or branch campus thereof from claiming accreditation from an accrediting agency in any of its advertising, recruiting, or promotional materials unless the agency is recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States department of education.

(R)(1) Adopt rules requiring any for-profit, post-secondary educational institution registered under section 3332.05 of the Revised Code to disclose on the institution's official web site, all promotional digital and print media, and contracts for instruction, the fact that the institution is a for-profit business. The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text on the institution's official web site, promotional digital and print media, and contract for instruction, excluding the name of the institution, and shall be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw the attention of the reader. The disclosure shall read as follows: "(Name of Degree-Granting Institution) IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO."

(2) Adopt rules requiring promotional digital and print media for any for-profit private college or university, seminary, religious institution, or any other institution registered under section 3332.05 of the Revised Code, published by any person or entity that is not affiliated with the institution, to include the disclosure: "A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO." The disclosure required under this division shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text in the advertisement.

Sec. 3333.046. (A) Any institution authorized to grant on February 20, 2002, baccalaureate or master's degrees, for which certificates of authorization have been issued under Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code; that is accredited by the appropriate regional and, when appropriate, professional accrediting associations within whose jurisdiction it falls; and that is operated by a for-profit corporation shall cease to be subject to any regulation under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code but shall continue to be subject to the provisions for approval of degree programs set forth in Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code, including approval of any additional associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree programs offered by the institution.

(B)(1) Any institution to which division (A) of this section applies shall disclose on the institution's official web site, all promotional digital and print media, and contracts for instruction, the fact that the institution is a for-profit business. The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text on the institution's official web site, promotional digital and print media, and contract for instruction, excluding the name of the institution, and shall be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw the attention of the reader. The disclosure shall read as follows: "(Name of Degree Granting Institution) IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO."

(2) All promotional digital and print media for any institution under division (A) of this section, published by any person or entity that is not affiliated with the institution, shall include the disclosure: "A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO." The disclosure required under this division shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text in the advertisement.

Sec. 4709.05. (A) In addition to any other duty imposed on the state cosmetology and barber board under this chapter or Chapter 4713. of the Revised Code, the board shall do all of the following:

(1) Regulate the practice of barbering in this state;

(2) Conduct or have conducted the examination for applicants to practice as licensed barbers;

(3) Prescribe and make available application forms to be used by individuals seeking admission to an examination conducted under section 4709.07 of the Revised Code or a license or permit issued under this chapter;

(4) Prescribe and make available application forms to be used by individuals seeking renewal of a license or permit issued under this chapter;

(5) Furnish a copy of the infection control standards adopted pursuant to division (A)(8)(a) of this section to both of the following:

(a) Each individual or person to whom the board issues a barber license or license to operate a barber shop;

(b) Each individual providing cosmetic therapy, massage therapy, or other professional service in a barber shop under section 4709.091 of the Revised Code.

(6) Supply a copy of the poster created pursuant to division (B) of section 5502.63 of the Revised Code to each person authorized to operate a barber shop under this chapter;

(7) Comply with sections 4713.641 and 4713.66 of the Revised Code regarding investigations and inspections;

(8) Adopt rules, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, to administer and enforce this chapter and that cover all of the following:

(a) Infection control standards for the practice of barbering and the operation of barber shops;

(b) The content of the examination required of an applicant for a barber license under section 4709.07 of the Revised Code and the passing score required for the examination;

(c) Conditions an individual must satisfy to qualify for a temporary pre-examination work permit under section 4709.071 of the Revised Code and the conditions and method of renewing a temporary pre-examination work permit under that section;

(d) Requirements for the licensure of barber instructors and assistant barber instructors that are in addition to the requirements specified in section 4709.072 of the Revised Code;

(e) Conditions under which the board will take into account, under section 4709.073 of the Revised Code, instruction an applicant for a license under section 4709.07 or 4709.072 of the Revised Code received more than five years before the date of application for the license;

(f) Conditions an applicant must satisfy for the board to issue the applicant a license under section 4709.08 of the Revised Code without the applicant taking an examination conducted under section 4709.07 of the Revised Code;

(g) Conditions an applicant must satisfy for the board to issue the applicant an independent contractor license under section 4709.09 of the Revised Code and the fee for the issuance and renewal of the license;

(h) Specify which professions regulated by a professional regulatory board of this state may be practiced in a barber shop under section 4709.091 of the Revised Code, including whether cosmetic therapy may be practiced in a barber shop;

(i) Establish standards for the provision of cosmetic therapy, massage therapy, or other professional service in a barber shop pursuant to section 4709.091 of the Revised Code;

(j) If the board, under section 4709.111 of the Revised Code, develops a procedure for classifying licenses inactive, do both of the following:

(i) Establish a fee for having a license classified inactive that reflects the cost to the board of providing the inactive license service;

(ii) Specify the continuing education that an individual whose license has been classified inactive must complete to have the license restored.

(k) Require any for-profit barber school operated by a person licensed under section 4709.10 of the Revised Code to disclose on the school's official web site, all promotional digital and print media, and contracts for instruction, the fact that the school is a for-profit business. The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text on the school's official web site, promotional digital and print media, and contract for instruction, excluding the name of the school, and shall be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw the attention of the reader. The disclosure shall read as follows: "(Name of Barber School) IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO."

(l) Require promotional digital and print media for any for-profit barber school or any other institution operated by a person licensed under section 4709.10 of the Revised Code, published by any person or entity that is not affiliated with the school or institution, to include the disclosure: "A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO." The disclosure required under this division shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text in the advertisement.

(m) Any other area the board determines appropriate to administer or enforce this chapter.

(B) The infection control standards established under division (A)(8)(a) of this section shall focus in particular on precautions to be employed to prevent infectious or contagious diseases being created or spread.

(C) The content of the examination specified in rules adopted under division (A)(8)(b) of this section shall include a practical demonstration and a written test, shall relate only to the practice of barbering, and shall require the applicant to demonstrate that the applicant has a thorough knowledge of and competence in the proper techniques in the safe use of chemicals used in the practice of barbering. The minimum passing score of the examination shall not exceed seventy-five per cent.

(D) The rules adopted under division (A)(8)(c) of this section may establish additional conditions for a temporary pre-examination work permit under section 4709.071 of the Revised Code that are applicable to individuals who are licensed to practice barbering in another state or country.

(E) The conditions specified in rules adopted under division (A)(8)(f) of this section may include that an applicant is applying for a barber license for which the board determines an examination is unnecessary.

(F) The rules adopted under division (A)(8)(h) of this section shall not include a profession if practice of the profession in a barber shop is a violation of a statute or rule governing the profession.

(G) If the board adopts a procedure for classifying licenses inactive, the continuing education specified under division (A)(8)(j)(ii) of this section shall be sufficient to ensure the minimum competency in the use or administration of a new procedure or product required by a licensee necessary to protect public health and safety. The requirement shall not exceed the cumulative number of hours of continuing education that the individual would have been required to complete had the individual retained an active license.

Sec. 4713.07. (A) The state cosmetology and barber board shall do all of the following:

(1) Regulate the practice of cosmetology and all of its branches in this state;

(2) Investigate or inspect, when evidence appears to demonstrate that an individual has violated any provision of this chapter or Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code or any rule adopted under either chapter, the activities or premises of a license holder or unlicensed individual;

(3) Adopt rules in accordance with section 4713.08 of the Revised Code;

(4) Prescribe and make available application forms to be used by individuals seeking admission to an examination conducted under section 4713.24 of the Revised Code or a license or registration issued under this chapter;

(5) Prescribe and make available application forms to be used by individuals seeking renewal of a license or registration issued under this chapter;

(6) Provide a toll-free number and an online service to receive complaints alleging violations of this chapter or Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code;

(7) Submit a written report annually to the governor that provides all of the following:

(a) A discussion of the conditions in this state of the practice of barbering, cosmetology, and the branches of cosmetology;

(b) An evaluation of board activities intended to aid or protect consumers;

(d) A statement of all money that the board received and expended during the year the report covers.

(8) Keep a record of all of the following:

(a) The board's proceedings;

(b) The name and last known physical address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of each individual issued a license or registration under this chapter or Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code;

(9) Assist ex-offenders and military veterans who hold licenses issued by the board to find employment within salons, barber shops, or other facilities within this state;

(10) Require inspectors appointed pursuant to section 4713.06 of the Revised Code to conduct inspections of licensed or permitted facilities, including salons and boutique salons, schools, barber shops, and tanning facilities, within ninety days of the opening for business of a licensed facility, upon complaints reported to the board, within ninety days after a violation was documented at a facility, and at least once every two years. Any individual, after providing the individual's name and contact information, may report to the board any information the individual may have that appears to show a violation of any provision of this chapter or rule adopted under it or a violation of any provision of Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code or rule adopted by the board pursuant to Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code. In the absence of bad faith, any individual who reports information of that nature or who testifies before the board in any adjudication conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code shall not be liable for damages in a civil action as a result of the report or testimony. For the purpose of inspections, an independent contractor licensed under this chapter or Chapter 4709. of the Revised Code shall be added to the board's records as an individual salon or barber shop.

(11) Supply a copy of the poster created pursuant to division (B) of section 5502.63 of the Revised Code to each person authorized to operate a salon, school, tanning facility, or other type of facility under this chapter;

(12) Adopt rules requiring any for-profit school of cosmetology operated by a person licensed under section 4713.44 of the Revised Code to disclose on the school's official web site, all promotional digital and print media, and contracts for instruction, the fact that the school is a for-profit business. The disclosure shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text on the school's official web site, promotional digital and print media, and contract for instruction, excluding the name of the school, and shall be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw the attention of the reader. The disclosure shall read as follows: "(Name of school) IS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO."

(13) Adopt rules requiring promotional digital and print media for any for-profit school of cosmetology or any other institution operated by a person licensed under section 4713.44 of the Revised Code, published by any person or entity that is not affiliated with the school or institution, to include the disclosure: "A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO." The disclosure required under this division shall be made in a type size as large or larger than any other text in the advertisement.

(14) All other duties that this chapter imposes on the board.

(B) The board may do either of the following:

(1) Report to the proper prosecuting officer violations of section 4709.02 or 4713.14 of the Revised Code;

(2) Delegate any of the duties listed in division (A) of this section to the executive director of the board or to an individual designated by the executive director.

Section 2. That existing sections 3332.031, 3333.046, 4709.05, and 4713.07 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.