ALBANY - Customers who walk out of barbershops or hair salons before paying can now be prosecuted under a new bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, closes a loophole in the state's Penal Code which prevented charges from being filed against those who walked out of barbershops, hair salons or beauty shops before paying for services.
"This group of small businesses is no different than a supermarket or clothes retailer who would be able to bring a criminal prosecution for petit larceny against those who steal their products," according to a memo attached to the bill.
Individuals who fail to pay for services or refuse "by stealth, or by any misrepresentation of fact" now face class A misdemeanor charges under the new law.
Those convicted face a maximum of one year in prison or up to three years probation. A fine of $1,000 or twice the amount of what the individual gain may also be imposed.
Shop owners who reported theft of services prior to the bill's signing were told charges could not be filed against individuals who failed to pay for services due to the loophole, according to the memo.
Cuomo, in a statement, called the loophole "nonsensical," saying in part, "Beauty salons and barber shops are no different than other small businesses whose livelihoods depend on the support of their communities."
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Marisol Alcantara, D-Manhattan, and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, D-Queens.
"Small businesses like beauty shops and barber shops depend on the patronage of their community members, and when individuals take advantage of local businesses it puts them at great financial risk," Alcantara said in a statement.
"By adding this protection for small business owners, this bill will ensure that these businesses that are so critical to local economies can continue to thrive and succeed."
