KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Most women who get their nails done have been nicked or cut, but if you complained about that in the state of Missouri, it's not a public record.
If you walk into Hoopla salon in Fairway, Kansas, you will see registration and nail tech licenses posted. You'll also see its latest inspection report.
That's because it's in Kansas.
In Missouri, those inspection reports are considered private.
“I would say I’m very surprised Missouri doesn’t have a requirement to post," said Courtney Goddard, who said she goes to salons to get services done often enough.
In Kansas, complaints are automatically made public record. You attach copies of anything related to the investigation and sign your name.
That triggers an investigation.
In Missouri, a complaint goes before the board at its next meeting and can take 120 days to complete. The public has no access because it's protected by law.
Missouri House Bill 2392 could change that. It was brought up by Minority Floor Leader Rep. Gail McCann Beatty in February.
The measure would let people have access to investigations on those with a cosmetology or barber license. It's yet to be voted on.
Beatty told 41 Action News it was not referred to a committee. Beatty worked to get it amended to another bill but that was not possible.
Transparency and cleanliness are two of the biggest issues to many customers and workers in the nail world.
Some customers living near the state line said the distinction could sway their decision of where they take their business.
“Now that I know that about salons in Missouri, I will be avoiding them," said Goddard.
In Kansas, inspectors look at facilities twice a year.
In Missouri, it's scheduled annually.
If there are issues, inspectors can do drop in visits in either state.
Travis Crall owns Silver Screen Salon in Kansas City, and though they just do hair, he's had a nail license for 15 years.
"My basic suggestion to the public is if it looks like it’s dirty it probably is," said Crall, who said a clean workspace is a necessity.
Hoopla sanitizes and sterilizes its instruments in an autoclave, similar to what medical professionals use.
They also use disposable files and buffers and have sealed tools.
Staff said pumice stones cannot be reused.
"The old style of jet tubs where the water set in the tubs that’s no longer really a thing," said Crall. "Well, they are... But people are really trying to get away from that.
Beatty said she is hopeful someone else will take ahold of the bill, and it will gather momentum.
