(Trenton)- Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Bergen, Passaic) issued the following statement Monday after the Assembly approved, 77-0, legislation allowing those with a barber’s license in another state or country to provide barbering services in New Jersey while awaiting a license, under certain circumstances:
“This bill helps spare valuable time and expense for hardworking immigrants and others who are trying to earn a living and thrive in New Jersey. They are skilled, experienced and dedicated to their craft and should be treated accordingly.
“We should be making it easier for newly arrived immigrants to continue their profession, not more difficult.
“In addition to my cosponsors of this bill, I also would like to thank Passaic Mayor Hector Lora for continuing to be a relentless advocate for our constituents, many of whom are barbers whose livelihood would be positively impacted by this bill.”
The bill A-3443 serves as a three-year pilot for the city of Passaic whereby barbers seeking a license through the program would work under the direct supervision of a licensed barber while making a good faith effort to obtain a license in New Jersey.