Salons Act Bill
Cut It Out
On July 29, 2024, the Senate passed the Cut It Out Bill, an act to mandate domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists. The bill, also known as the Salons Act or the Salon Stories Act, is now before the House of Representatives for consideration.
People in the “salon” professions mentioned in this bill often interact closely with clients and may be in a position to more easily spot signs of domestic violence. They are frequently someone victims of abuse can trust to confide in and to lend support. Educating these professionals on potential indicators of domestic violence and how to best help anyone they suspect is being abused can be of vital importance to get victims the support they need to increase their safety.
The bill is strongly supported by Marian T. Ryan, Massachusetts’ Middlesex County’s District Attorney.
Read the full Act here.
This video includes testmonials from MA police chiefs, industry educators, and DVSN staff in support of the Cut It Out Bill:
Participant Timecodes:
0:03 Chief Michael Sallese, Stow Police Department
2:32 Chief Michael McLean, Lexington Police Department
5:05 John Patrick Walsh, Former President & CEO, Elizabeth Grady Companies
8:17 Brian Tildsley, Assistant Principal, Minuteman High School, Lexington
10:12 Jacquelin Apsler, Executive Director, Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc.
12:38 Deborah Maini, Community Engagement & Development Specialist and Volunteer Advocate, Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc.