Monday, February 04, 2019
Two New Jersey bills that seek to create a state oversight program for pet groomers—Assembly Bill 3044 and Senate Bill 2514—are scheduled to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
Both known as Bijou’s Law, these bills were introduced in 2018 with matching language. A.3044 was significantly amended when it was considered by the Assembly, including amendments recommended by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other stakeholder groups. Thursday’s hearing will mark the first time S.2514 will be considered, in its original form.
Click here to read AKC’s previous alert on A.3044.
AKC’S POSITION ON GROOMING LEGISLATION:
The AKC believes that health and safety should always be primary considerations when grooming a dog. In addition to other appropriate training, AKC recommends that professional groomers should pass a course and exam on basic health and safety standards, such as AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Certification or a similar program, prior to being licensed as a professional groomer. Grooming that is incidental to preparing a dog for a dog show or other exhibition should be conducted with similar care but should not be subject to licensing or professional grooming regulations.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The AKC encourages all concerned New Jersey residents to contact the members of the Senate Commerce Committee to:
- request that S.2514 be amended in line with A.3044;
- encourage the Senate to consider developing a public-private partnership, with the American Kennel Club’s S.A.F.E. Grooming Certification Program or an equivalent professional program, which would allow the state to more quickly implement grooming safety standards without incurring a significant fiscal impact; and
- to express any additional concerns they have.
Members of Senate Commerce Committee:
Senator Nellie Pou, Chair
100 Hamilton Plaza
Suite1405
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 247-1555
Email: senpou@njleg.org
Senator Joseph P. Cryan, Vice Chair
985 Stuyvesant Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 624-0880
Email: sencryan@njleg.org
Senator Gerald Cardinale
350 Madison Ave.
Cresskill, NJ 07626
Phone: (201) 567-2324
Email: sencardinale@njleg.org
Senator Thomas H. Kean
425 North Ave. East
Suite C
Westfield, NJ 07090
Phone: (908) 232-3673
Email: senkean@njleg.org
Senator Nicholas P. Scutari
1514 East Saint Georges Avenue
2nd Floor
Linden, NJ 07036
Phone: (908) 587-0404
Email: Senscutari@Njleg.Org
AKC Government Relations will continue to provide additional information on New Jersey legislation as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.