California today enacted an urgency law aimed at protect consumers from unsanitary nail salons. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) signed into law AB 409, authored by Assemblymember Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City). Unlike other bills signed into law this month by the Governor which don’t take effect until January 1, AB 409 becomes law immediately.

AB 409 directs the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to immediately suspend any license without advance hearing, if the action is necessary to protect the public health and safety. A licensee found in violation could be placed on probation for one year, required to undertake remedial training in health and safety laws and regulations, subject to re-inspection at the cost of establishment owner, as well as new citation fines.

Last year, Yee successfully passed legislation establishing new cleaning requirements for salons and requiring notification to consumers who visit salons found in violation of health and safety codes, but the bill was vetoed by Schwarzenegger. However, the Governor’s veto message directed the Department of Consumer Affairs to establish a working group on footspa safety.

“Fortunately, members of both sides of the aisle, the Legislature and the Governor, came together to swiftly enact this urgency measure,” said Yee. “This bill is a good first step in cleaning up unsanitary salons and protecting consumers.”

“Unsanitary nail salons pose a serious health threat to consumers,” said Schwarzenegger. “I want to thank Assemblymember Yee for his hard work on this important legislation that will protect consumers from suffering disease and infection should they visit unsanitary nail salons.”