Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Delaware Bans MMA, Forms Task Force

The Delaware State Legislature passed two of approximately 14 proposed bills that would impact cosmetologists, barbers, and nail technicians.

by NAILS staff
December 1, 1998
2 min to read


In the session that ended June 30, 1998, the Delaware State Legislature passed two of approximately 14 proposed bills that would impact cosmetologists, barbers, and nail technicians.

While disappointed that not all the bills were adopted as law, salon owner Gina Marsilii, president of the Delaware Manicurists Alliance, is jubilant that the two bills her association felt were critical were passed — one banning the use of MMA by nail technicians, and another giving the state board more power to address unlicensed practitioners. “Previously, we referred complaints about unlicensed practice to the Attorney General’s office, whereas now our investigators are empowered to go into a Justice of the Peace court and request a summons to call that person into court,” explains Carol Ellis, director of Delaware’s Division of Professional Regulation, which oversees 34 licensing boards, including cosmetology and bar-bering. “This relieves the Attorney General’s office of pursuing a matter that is not of the greatest importance to them when compared to the other crimes they deal with, and it greatly speeds up the process on our end.”

Ad Loading...

While many of the other bills sponsored by Senator David McBride in response to the lobbying efforts of the Delaware Manicurists Alliance either never made it to the floor or were passed but vetoed by the governor, Marsilii happily reports that a Senate Concurrent Resolution was passed forming a Nail Technology Task Force comprised of representatives from the public health department, the division of professional regulation, the state board, and herself. “We’re reviewing the proposed legislation and exploring other approaches,” Marsilii reports. “For instance, one of these bills required nail technicians to take continuing education to renew their license. We decided as a task force that we would put together a yearly newsletter that would give updates on sanitation regulations and other issues so that nail technicians are more informed”

According to Ellis, the task force also is putting together a survey of all licensed practitioners to inform them of some potential upcoming legislation, such as required annual inspections, and what impact that legislation would have on their licensing fees.

“We are telling them what is under consideration and what each one would cost, and asking what they are willing to pay for,” she explains. “The representative from the division of public health also will provide the task force with a draft of new sanitary regulations because the ones we have are so outdated, having been drafted long before the proliferation of nail salons.”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...