Texture Positive Act of 2025

This bill, called the Texture Positive Act, would create a federal grant program to help states support cosmetology schools in teaching how to care for textured hair—hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy in its natural state. Schools that receive support must add training on how to shampoo, deep condition, braid, twist, and style textured hair to their curriculum. States would apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Labor and then award competitive subgrants to eligible entities that work with cosmetology schools. Funds can also be used to develop training, hire and train instructors, and offer digital lessons, including prerecorded videos.

Grants to states would last up to four years and could be renewed. Subgrants to eligible entities would last six months and could be renewed by the state. Subgrant recipients must report how they used the funds, which schools they partnered with, and how many instructors and students were trained; states must send summary reports to the Department of Labor. “State” includes the 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories, and “textured hair” is defined in the bill as noted above.

• Who is affected: Cosmetology schools, cosmetology students, and state agencies (including DC and U.S. territories).
• What changes: Adds required textured-hair training for schools that receive subgrants; allows funds to build programs, hire/train instructors, and offer digital training.
• When: State grants run up to 4 years; subgrants run 6 months, with possible renewals. Regular reporting is required from both subgrant recipients and states.