A new Illinois law taking effect this year aims to help victims of domestic violence.
House Bill 4264 requires that cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians and hair braiders take a one-hour continuing education class to learn how to look for signs of domestic violence.
The new law was introduced by State Representative Fran Hurley, based on the open relationships and dialogue that are sometimes formed between clients and cosmetologists.
Certain salons in Naperville can already see how the new law will help.
“I guess you can say at first I was surprised, like ‘I have to do what as a hair stylist? But then you realize that for the 20 years that I’ve been behind the chair that you develop a relationship with their clientele, and people share their triumphs and struggles with that and it’s nice to be a part of that,” said Paul Joseph Gerace, Owner of the Paul Joseph Salon.
The stylists are not required to report violence and are protected from any liability.
Naperville News 17’s Alyssa Bochenek reports.
