The unique bond between women and their beauticians is the newest front in Colorado’s fight against domestic violence.

Freshman Rep. Edie Hooton, a Democrat from Boulder, will present Senate Bill 1175  to the House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee Tuesday afternoon.

To get or renew a license under the proposal, barbers, hairstylists, cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians would have to undergo training in domestic abuse awareness. The law doesn’t require them to intervene or report anything, and it specifically gives them immunity from criminal or civil repercussions if they do or don’t.

Hooton hopes they do.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says that 16,700 people in Colorado contacted law enforcement about one or more incidences of domestic violence in 2014. That’s equal to the population of Durango. Scores of victims never contact law enforcement, the advocacy group says.

Twenty five people were killed by a partner and 1,018 were abducted two years ago.

Stepping up is the right thing to do. Most hairstylists would gladly fight domestic violence with scissors, a teasing comb and a shoulder to lean on. Illinois became the first state to enact such a licensing requirement in January. It was cosmetologists who wrote the bill.

Hooton should have no problem getting the bill out of the House, where fellow Democrats enjoy a 37-28 majority.

The Senate, where Republicans have a one-seat majority, will be interesting.

Typically they’ve taken a dim view of House Democrats’ “message” bills, including pay parity, contraception coverage and parental leave for school activities.

The bills reflect what most Democrats believe, but they’re also aimed at giving Republicans a black eye in the perennial election-year war on women.

It’s a political snake in your boot, and Colorado’s cowboy Republicans step into it every time.

This issue, however, might have a different inertia. Domestic violence isn’t, or at least shouldn’t be, a partisan issue.

This year Republican Rep. Clarice Navarro of Pueblo is sponsoring House Bill 1150, which would prevent bail for stalking and felonies related to domestic violence.

They have Republicans in Illinois, too. And last May, Illinois House Bill 4264 passed the lower chamber 115-2 and the state Senate 54-0.

A Republican lawmaker in Colorado has a couple of core values to consider, however.

As of last month, Colorado had about  57,000 registered as cosmetology professionals, according the legislative analysts. That’s 57,000 hours of government-mandated training on mostly small businesses.

A case can be made by Republicans about government overreach. This bill could open the door for legislation to make a bartender learn to spot alcoholism or a gun store clerk to evaluate motives.

Should a license to buff fingernails, pour a drink or sell a box of shotgun shells require someone to play detective, and hope they do the right thing? Can we legislate morality?

That doesn’t go over well when Republicans try it.