Bill advanced Tuesday that would open doors for barbers

JACKSON, Tenn. — A bill moved out of committee Tuesday that will allow for barbers to cut hair in a customer’s home, which right now, is illegal in most cases.

We spoke with instructors at Barber School in Jackson, and they see this as a good thing for both them and their students.

“Once you receive a master barber’s license, and you may not like the shop atmosphere or can afford to work at a shop, you can be able to cut somebody’s hair in the comforts of their own home,” says William Hollingsworth, Director/Instructor of the Barber School.

“It will give me something to look forward to when I’m a licensed barber,” says Joshua Curland, student at the Barber School. “More opportunities.”

Barbers said, they are not the only ones who may benefit from this bill.

“I try to tell my students they need to be mindful of the people around them and the conversations that they have,” says Hollingsworth. “You know, sometimes adults may want to engage in conversations that are inappropriate for children.”

The American Male Barber Shop has been here in Jackson for over 15 years, and barbers that work there said, it is important for them to be able to offer their services in their customers’ homes.

“You build a lot of friendships in this business when you see somebody once a month or once every two weeks, and you just want to help them out when you can. It’s just part of being a good person,” said Margaret Sparks, Owner/Master Barber at American Male Barber Shop.

“One gentleman, he ended up getting cancer. I had been cutting his hair for ten years…and he took a turn for the worst, and I’d go to his house,” says Becky Crafton, Master Barber at American Male Barber Shop.

This bill would also help customers in more rural areas where a barber shop may be too far away.

Before moving any further, the bill has to be heard by the full senate.