Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1537409
IMPORTANT ADVOCACY TERMS Before you start using your voice, it's helpful to know some legislative terminology you'll hear tossed around. Let's walk through the basic terms: • Constituent—This is you! This is what you are to elected officials who represent you in your district. You can use your state legislature's website to check who represents you. • Deregulation—This is when a state legislature, agency, or board moves to reduce industry regulation. This could look like eliminating state licensing or lowering licensing education standards. • Legislation/Bill—This is a proposal filed in your state legislature to enact a new law or to change an existing law. It must pass committee and floor votes in both the house and senate before being sent to the governor for final approval to become a law. • Legislator—This is any member of the state senate or house of representatives (also called the assembly or house of delegates in some states). These folks vote on the bills that become laws in your state. When there's a proposed bill you want to advocate for or against, these are the people you'll want to connect with. • Regulation/Rule—Regulatory bodies (like your state cosmetology board) propose regulations or rules to the public. Comments from the public are reviewed by the board and may influence a rule. Rules typically help provide clarity and are more detailed than state laws. • Regulator—This individual decides rules that help interpret the laws passed by the legislators. You're most likely to interact with regulators who are part of a state board that regulates your profession, such as the cosmetology board. • Scope of Practice—This indicates all the services you're allowed to perform with an esthetics license in your state. Some states may have a broad and inclusive scope, while other states have more restrictions for esthetics services. • Session—This is the time each year when legislatures meet to vote on legislation. Session, for most states, lasts a few months. • Statute/Law—This is what a bill becomes once it passes through both legislative chambers and is either signed or allowed to pass into law by your governor. There are cosmetology acts in every state that govern how you are allowed to practice. Steal This Template Have something to tell your legislators but not sure how to begin? Follow this basic guide: "My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am here on behalf of estheticians and skin care professionals in the state of [YOUR STATE], and I would like to ask you to vote [YES/NO] on [BILL NUMBER]. Here is why it is important for the esthetics industry for you to vote this way." From there, add your own color, experience, and expertise, tailored to the time allotted to your meeting, leaving room for questions after you make your pitch. 70 ASCP Skin Deep Summer 2025