Senate passes Griffo bill that helps barbershops and hair salons recover from COVID-19 pandemic

New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, announced today that legislation he sponsored repealing the state’s prohibition on barbering on Sundays has been passed by the state Senate.

The state’s current prohibition, while loosely and rarely enforced, disallows “any person who carries on or engages in the business of shaving, hair cutting or other work of a barber on the first days of the week.” 

Sen. Griffo’s bill would lift this blanket prohibition and allow establishments to open their doors for business on Sundays if they choose to do so.

“This antiquated, archaic and unnecessary law has been on the books for more than a century,” Sen. Griffo said. “I am hopeful that the Governor will sign this bill into law so that barbershops and salons will have an additional opportunity to recover financially from the coronavirus pandemic.”

A companion bill introduced by Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, was previously passed by the Assembly. The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.

“Like many other industries and professions, barbers and hairdressers have been severely impacted by the pandemic,” Assemblyman Jones said. “From having to close their doors during the early months of the pandemic to adopting enhanced safety measures, hairstylists have faced unprecedented challenges to continue serving our communities. While the prohibition on barbering on Sundays is loosely enforced, I spearheaded this legislation to ensure the decision to be open lies in the hands of the business owner, and not an unnecessary and outdated state law.”

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