Governor Laura Kelly dashed the hopes of sugarers around the state as she vetoed SB 434, which would have eliminated a costly and time-consuming licensing requirement for practitioners of sugaring, the ancient Egyptian method of hair removal.
The technique, mixing sugar, lemon juice, and water into a paste to apply to the affected area, requires 1,000 hours of education at an esthetician school or 1,500 hours of cosmetology training, although only 1%, at most, of each covers sugaring. In her veto message, the governor cited health concerns:
“I have serious concerns that deregulating sugaring — a hair removal technique that may be performed on minors — could lead to safety and sanitation problems.”
Kelly’s alleged concern about the safety of minors was nonexistent, however, in her same-day veto of a ban on so-called gender-affirming care. SB 233 would have banned prescribing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and any surgical interventions for anyone under the age of 18 in the state of Kansas. Safety concerns are being raised in several European countries and a Mayo Clinic study in the United States.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation 39-1. The House also passed SB 434 71-52, but far short of the 84 votes needed to override the veto.
Last fall, the Kansas Justice Institute (KJI), like The Sentinel, owned by the Kansas Policy Institute, filed suit against the state Board of Cosmetology, citing a constitutional violation of entrepreneur Bryn Green’s right to make a living. The lawsuit, filed and argued free of charge, is still pending. SB 434 was an attempt to change state statutes to allow the sugaring practice to continue without the licensing requirement. KJI Litigation Director Samuel MacRoberts said despite the setback, the legal effort continues:
“We’re disappointed for our client Bryn Green. Kansans shouldn’t be forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars and almost a year of schooling to get an occupational license for something that is already safe.
“At the same time, we’re confident in our legal arguments that Bryn—and all Kansans—have the right to earn an honest living, free from unreasonable government restrictions. We’ll continue to press ahead in court.”
Americans for Prosperity – Kansas also supported SB 434. Its state director, Elizabeth Patton, said her organization will continue to speak out for small business owners and oppose job-killing government regulations:
“AFP-Kansas is disappointed with Governor Kelly’s decision to veto SB 434, which would remove unnecessary regulations for small business owners who provide sugaring services. We remain committed to supporting legislative efforts to safely reduce burdensome occupational licensing requirements, and we had hoped that the governor would join us in our fight to eliminate red tape for licensed professionals rather than putting up roadblocks.
“Despite this setback, we continue to urge legislators to champion reforms that prioritize economic freedom and provide Kansans the opportunity to pursue their livelihoods with less government interference.”
