Bill > A1456

Introduced Session

This bill defines a "pet groomer" as an individual who bathes, brushes, clips, or styles a pet for compensation, and requires pet groomers to be licensed. To be eligible for licensure as a pet groomer, an applicant must: be at least 18 years of age; be of good moral character; and pass an examination prepared by or approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to determine the applicant's competence to practice pet grooming. The bill stipulates that in order to practice, attempt to practice, or hold himself out as being able to practice pet grooming, that person is required to be licensed in accordance with the provisions of this bill. In addition, as specified in the bill, none of the bill's provisions apply to: a registered student in a school licensed by the board if the student is performing grooming services under appropriate supervision at the school in which they are enrolled; or an individual engaged in performing grooming services while not enrolled in a school if the individual performs those services under the direct supervision of a licensed pet groomer and while training in preparation of the pet groomer's licensing examination. This bill also mandates that no business is to engage in or advertise or hold itself out as offering pet grooming services unless the business is registered with the board. Furthermore, any such business is required to provide to the board evidence of proof of general liability insurance or a letter of credit of a type and amount required by the board by regulation. In addition, the bill provides that a business engaged in or offering pet grooming services is required to comply with the following requirements: 1) Pets not in the grooming process are required to be caged separately in a structurally sound and clean cage large enough to allow each pet to make normal postural adjustments, including sitting, standing, and turning around; 2) An adequate water supply of drinking water is to be available to all animals at all times; 3) Drying cages are not to be utilized; 4) Sufficient lighting must be provided to facilitate the cleaning of pets and facilities; 5) The premises of the pet grooming facility is required to be maintained in a sanitary condition; 6) Surveillance cameras are required throughout the business, to provide recorded video surveillance of all areas of the business inside and outside on the property of the business, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and 7) The footage from the surveillance cameras is required to be kept by the facility at least 60 days. The bill also mandates that every pet grooming business is required to maintain a pet incident file to be submitted annually to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, in a form as may be prescribed by the board, which must contain the following information: pet injuries sustained while at the facility that required veterinary contact; severe pet illnesses; veterinary treatment plans relevant to pet grooming procedures and processes; pet deaths; and pet escapes. The board may suspend or revoke the registration of any business offering pet grooming upon proof showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the business: has made false or misleading statements of a material nature in the application for registration; failed to demonstrate that each employee of the employer who is engaged in the performance of pet grooming is in possession of a license to practice pet grooming; failed to demonstrate proof of having general liability insurance or a letter of credit of a type and amount required by the board; failed to comply with the aforementioned sanitary and facility conditions required of businesses engaging in or offering pet grooming services; or failed to maintain the pet incident file, as required by the bill. Furthermore, the bill requires the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to establish and undertake a public information campaign to educate and inform the consumers of New Jersey of the provisions in this bill. The bill also mandates that the board provide a toll-free telephone number for consumers making inquiries or complaints regarding pet groomers or pet grooming businesses.

Committee Categories

Robert Karabinchak (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document