‘Botox party' bill step closer to becoming Texas law
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee heard Senate Bill 378 late Tuesday night. The proposed legislation pushes for patient safety and transparency on who can administer Botox injections and similar treatments.
The bill authored by State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, was left pending in committee. It would prohibit estheticians, cosmetologists and barbers from administering injections and using prescriptive medical devices unless they are legally licensed and authorized to perform the acts.
RELATED: 'The Botox party bill' moving forward in legislature
The bill analysis states that, by law, estheticians and cosmetologist can only perform injections, including Botox, under the authority of a physician.
Schwertner has told KXAN investigators previously that there have been increased reports of 'Botox parties' which include unauthorized and unsafe injections to friends and family without proper supervision. The legislation would give the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation authority to take disciplinary action against those administering unauthorized injections.
RELATED: Texas pushes to tighten rules for Botox, similar treatments
According to the bill analysis, while the Texas Medical Board or TMB has disciplinary authority over physicians who are supposed to be authorizing the injections, current statute is 'silent' on both TMB and TDLR's authority to pursue the licensed esthetician or cosmetologist who are in violation.
'This bill ensures that only qualified medical professionals are providing these treatments. This can help prevent potential harm and adverse effects that can occur from unlicensed and unauthorized administration of injections,' said the bill analysis.
The House committee received nearly 50 written comments with most opposing the legislation, including several from estheticians and injectors concerned about their small businesses being impacted.
'Please think of ME, a licensed esthetician who has 600 active injectable clients who trust me and only me with their face because I have immense knowledge and have sacrificed 5 years to this business,' said Morgan Mills, an esthetician and medical spa owner.
Dacia Cahanin-Salinas, an aesthetic injector, wrote 'Senate Bill 378 doesn't protect public safety — it limits it,' adding that 'even licensed professionals — including physicians — must seek additional, non-traditional training to practice aesthetic injections safely.'
She explained Texas should create a standardized, state-accredited training program with a required exam.
'Anyone — licensed or not — would be required to complete this training, prove their knowledge, and demonstrate safe technique before being allowed to inject,' Cahanin-Salinas wrote. 'When it comes to protecting Texans, competency matters more than credentials. Let's raise the standards — not build walls.'
KXAN INVESTIGATION: Backroom Botox a 'wild west' in Texas
The legislation was filed after a KXAN investigation uncovered that anyone in Texas can become certified to do injections, including Botox. In May, KXAN's 'Backroom Botox' investigation highlighted the need for patient safety after a Botox treatment led to a medical emergency in the backroom of a local boutique in Dublin, a city north of Austin.
The Texas Senate passed Schwertner's bill in March.
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