October 2009
Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle •
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Local: (614) 466-3834 •
Statewide: 1-866-642-6723
http://cos.ohio.gov
Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognized annually in October, seeks to promote understanding of a crime that remains a major and often hidden problem in Ohio.
Domestic violence affects more Ohioans than we all realize. In 2008, more than 58,000 Ohioans were reported as victims of domestic violence. Many kinds of people were targeted, including wives, husbands, and children.
Teens, too, can be victims of domestic violence. Even though they may not be living with their dating partners, they can face the same dangers that married adults unfortunately encounter in their own relationships. Earlier this year, I expressed my support for two pending bills in the Ohio Legislature that, if passed, would help to combat teen dating violence.
The first, House Bill 10, would allow judges to issue protection orders against juveniles. Earlier this year, the national advocacy group Break the Cycle, a leading voice against teen dating violence, gave Ohio an “F” for its efforts on this issue, primarily because Ohio law does not allow judges to issue any kind of protection orders against juveniles.
Another bill, House Bill 19, would instruct schools to adopt a dating violence education policy to inform students about and promote healthy teen dating practices. Both bills have passed the Ohio House and are being debated in the Senate.
As much as we do to combat domestic violence, it would be naïve to think we could eliminate this crime. So we must be mindful of how we take care of victims.
Victims of domestic violence, or any other violent crime, can apply for compensation from my office. The Victims of Crime Reparations Fund pays out reimbursement to crime victims or their families for medical treatment, lost wages and other expenses. These funds come from penalties and fines paid by offenders, not from our tax dollars.
I recently initiated a letter that was co-signed by every other state attorney general in the country to ask Congress to increase funding for state crime victims compensation funds so we all can continue to support victims of domestic violence and other crimes.
For those who might be survivors, or for those who suspect that someone they care about might be in an abusive relationship, help is available.
For a complete list of resources, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/Services/Victims
Survivors of domestic violence—and all Ohioans—should remember that they never deserve to be abused, and should make a plan or consult with others to escape from an abusive situation to safety. Information about resources—not politely pretending that nothing is happening—is the best way to break this ancient cycle of violence.
Whatever form domestic violence takes, my office and others across Ohio are working to reduce it.
As always, we are happy to come to your salon and give you the tools to help prevent domestic violence in your community through the Cut It Out program. For more information, contact Venica Miller at Venica.Miller@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or (614) 466-3552.
If you would like to host a seminar, please fill out the training request form online at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/CutItOut.
A name change will require a copy of your legal documentation (marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) to be sent to the Board office. A certified copy is not required; a photocopy or scanned image is sufficient. You can send the information to the Board office by email, fax, or mail.
Address changes are much more common and even more important in order to receive your license, renewal application, etc. Address changes may be submitted to the Board office by phone, fax, email, or mail. Changes of Address orders that are filed with the U.S. Post Office expire after 12 months. There is still activity on an expired permanent Change of Address in months 13 through 18, during which the mail piece is returned and the sender is notified of the new address. After month 18, the mail piece is returned to the sender noting “Forwarding Order Expired”.
One of the most difficult topics to discuss and enforce in the cosmetology field is the prevalence of fraudulent licensing. Nowhere is this more common than in the manicuring field. Let us explain how extensive this problem is in Ohio.
There is a vast network in place to attain educational hours and defeat testing to secure personal licensing. This entails people securing fake identification, social security numbers, addresses and educational records. The Board and its staff have uncovered many examples and instances where partnerships have been formed with unregulated schools in other states where hours are “purchased” without attending one day of school. This is not unique to Ohio, but is an issue in every state in this country.
The Board has begun a discussion with the Ohio Attorney General to pursue legislation that will put in place criminal sanctions, to punish those that engage in this activity. Some of the potential penalties the Board will seek include the immediate closing of the facility with the assistance of law enforcement to impose the closure if the owners do not comply, and contacting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate tax code violations. The intent is to focus on facilities that take part in this practice and have prospered for many years without harsh penalties.
The Board has made efforts in the past to educate the public about asking questions when visiting salons. However, many in the general public do not realize the dangers of allowing those not properly trained to perform these services.
Questions:
1. True or False, an Independent Contractor License expires at the same time as a personal license?
2. True or False, by rule, a licensee must update their photo every year?
3. True or False, the minimum age at which a person can be licensed in the state of Ohio for cosmetology is 16 years old?
4. True or False, a salon may offer alcohol to patrons as long as they do not charge for it or serve it?
5. True or False, the 2011 renewal will be done on-line?
Answers:
1. True.
2. False, you must update a photo every 5 years.
3. True.
4. False, you must attain a liquor license from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control to allow any consumption on your premises.
5. True.
Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Local: (614) 466-3834
Statewide: 1-866-642-6723
Fax: (614) 644-6880
E-mail: ohcosbd@cos.state.oh.us
http://cos.ohio.gov
Board Members:
Steve Thompson, Chairman, Independent Contractor
Daisy Rickman, Cosmetologist & Salon Owner
NeCole Cumberlander, School Owner
Kimberly Thomas, Salon Owner
Dr. Marilyn Huheey, Medical Doctor
Bernadine Neal, Cosmetology Instructor
Delores Gillis, Cosmetologist
Charles Penzone, Cosmetologist & Salon Owner
Dr. Milroy Samuel, General Public
