The Texture Positive Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to help cosmetology schools teach students how to work with textured hair. Here's what it does: The Department of Labor will give grants to states, which then distribute smaller grants to qualified training organizations. These organizations use the money to teach cosmetology students specific techniques for shampooing, deep conditioning, braiding, twisting, and styling textured hair—skills that are often missing from standard cosmetology training.

To qualify for funding, training organizations must be established businesses with at least five years of experience, have a Minority- or Women-owned Business Enterprise certificate, and have experience teaching textured hair care. Cosmetology schools themselves cannot directly receive the money; instead, independent training companies partner with schools to add this curriculum. The grants last four years and can be renewed, while individual training programs run for six months at a time.

This bill addresses a real gap in professional training. Many cosmetology schools don't adequately teach techniques for textured hair, which affects both students and clients. By funding specialized training programs, the bill aims to give cosmetology students—particularly those from communities with textured hair—better job skills and help them serve their clients more effectively. States and training organizations must report on how many students they train and which schools they work with to ensure the program is working as intended.