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ABMP Legislative Report
Michigan 05/09/08 12/10/07 11/07/07 09/20/07 10/19/05 01/05/05 12/9/03 11/6/03 10/29/03 7/16/03 4/24/03 4/2/03 1/31/03 1/30/03 7/3/01 5/18/01 3/26/01 05/09/08: House bill 5651, sponsored by Representative Paul Condino will have a second hearing by the House Regulatory Reform Committee on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The bill would establish state licensing standards for massage therapists and create a board of massage therapy to implement the process. If passed, a state license would pre-empt local regulations, only one license would be needed. It is early in the legislative process. The bill establishes entry-level criteria for the profession:
We have been trying to advance this bill for a year. It is the same bill (SB 788) introduced last year by Senator Gilda Jacobs. We have compromised in several arenas, but the coalition that helped develop both SB 788 and HB 5651 believes very strongly that the 500-hour entry-level requirement should be obtained in-class and in a supervised environment. Thirty-eight states and DC regulate massage therapy at the state level and all require, at minimum, 500 hours entry-level education. Please call or email members on the Regulatory Reform Committee to voice your support of this bill: Representative Barbara Farrah (Chair) phone 517-373-0845; e-mail barbfarrah@house.mi.gov Representative Bettie Cook Scott (Vice–Chair) phone 517-373-1776; e-mail bcookscott@house.mi.gov Representative Mark Meadows, phone 517-373-1786; e-mail markmeadows@house.mi.gov Representative Virgil Smith, phone 517-373-0589; e-mail virgilsmith@house.mi.gov Representative Rebekah Warren, phone 517-373-2577; e-mail rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov Representative Lisa Wojno, phone 517-373-2275; e-mail lisawojno@house.mi.gov Representative James Marleau (Minority Vice Chair), phone 517-373-1798; e-mail jimmarleau@house.mi.gov Representative David Palsrock, phone 517-373-0825; e-mail davidpalsrock@house.mi.gov Representative Edward Gaffney, phone 517-373-0154; e-mail edwardgaffney@house.mi.gov Representative Chris Ward, phone 517-373-1784; e-mail chrisward@house.mi.gov 12/10/07: Michigan REPEALS Service Tax On December 1, 2007, Governor Granholm signed HB 5408 into law. The law essentially repeals the controversial service tax passed in October and creates a Michigan Business Tax surcharge that is part of a compromise budget solution. Massage therapists, regardless of the setting in which they work, will not have to charge a service tax on massage. The Michigan Business Tax directs that a taxpayer, other than an insurance company or financial institution, whose apportioned or allocated gross receipts are less than $350,000.00, does not need to pay the tax imposed under the Michigan Business Tax. Unless your income exceeds $350,000, this tax surcharge does not affect you. Additional questions and an online Michigan Business Tax “estimator” can be accessed at: http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,1607,7-238-46621-169398--,00.html 11/07/07: In an effort to avert a full government shutdown and address the state’s budget deficit, the Michigan State Legislature passed a tax on services, including “massage,” on October 1, 2007. There are two bills being considered by the legislature at this time. One, SB 838, would repeal the tax before it’s even been implemented. The other, SB 845, would delay the implementation of this tax until December 20, 2007. Because the state of Michigan has not defined “massage therapy,” it remains unclear how this tax might be implemented. In the few states that currently tax massage, responsibility has remained with the service provider (massage practitioner) to determine which of the following categories they fall into. This leads ABMP to believe that most massage therapy services will not be taxed. The Michigan Department of Treasury routinely uses The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to apply sales tax by category. This is important in determining how the Department would tax “massage” if the tax goes into effect. Treasury has noted that an establishment classified under “Other Personal Care Services- 812199” would be subject to the newly expanded service tax. This includes “massage parlors.” Because this definition falls under personal care, ABMP interprets this class as mostly spa-type relaxation massage services. Treasury further noted that an establishment classified under “Offices of all Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners- 621399” would not be subject to the expansion of the sales tax. This includes “massage therapists offices” as well as a wide variety of natural healing clinics and centers. ABMP believes most massage therapy services will fall under this category. ABMP will keep members informed as the Michigan legislature determines how to proceed. This debate is far from over. ABMP encourages all members to contact your legislators and voice your opinion. If you don’t know who your representatives are, you may use the following links. To find your state senator, go to: http://senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm To find your state representative, go to: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp 09/20/07: Senate Bill 788, sponsored by Senator Gilda Jacobs, has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. The bill would establish state licensing standards for massage therapists and create a Board of Massage Therapy to implement the process. If passed, a state license would pre-empt local regulations, only one license would be needed. It is early in the legislative process, no action is needed at this time. To read the entire bill, please visit: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2007-SIB-0788.pdf The bill establishes entry-level criteria for entering the profession:
The bill would require six hours of continuing education per year. ABMP has been working with the Michigan Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and others to advance this bill. 10/19/05: House Bill 5218 was introduced on September 22, 2005 to provide for licensure of massage therapists, and would establish the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy. If enacted, the law would go into effect when funding is appropriated. In the bill, the practice of massage therapy is defined as “the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, and holding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance or restore the health and well-being of the client. Practice of massage therapy includes complementary methods, including the external application of water, heat, cold, lubrication, salt scrubs, or other topical preparations; and electromechanical devices that mimic or enhance the actions possible by the hands.” To obtain a license applicants would be required to fulfill the following conditions:
A grandfathering period of two years after the effective date is included in the bill. Candidates for licensure could qualify through any of four methods, provided they also met A, B, and C above:
For a complete copy of the bill visit www.legislature.mi.gov. Should you wish to make your views known to your Senator or Representative, you can locate your representative and their contact information at the same site by clicking on Legislators. 01/05/05: Michigan Massage Bill Dies in Committee House Bill (HB) 5233, which would have enacted a statewide massage therapy licensing law in Michigan, has died in committee due to some uncertainty in the language. A new version has been written and is expected to be introduced early next year. For more information, visit www.michiganlegislature.org. 12/9/03: As mentioned in the November 6th posting, House Bill 5233 was introduced to the Michigan Legislature on the 4th of November. ABMP has successfully worked with Representative Steil's office to ensure the bill will include local pre-emption language once it goes through its first hearing. A hearing date will not be set until January at the earliest, when the legislature returns after the holidays. 11/6/03: Michigan House Bill 5233 was introduced on November 4, 2003 and, if passed, would create licensure on a statewide level for massage therapists in Michigan. To qualify for licensure, therapists will be required to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, be of good moral character, be at least 18 years of age as well as successfully complete 500 hours of training and successfully pass an examination. Provisions for currently practicing therapists include the following options for licensure qualification: Until 2 years after the effective date, the board may issue a license to an individual who has a high school diploma or the equivalent, is of good moral character and at least 18 years of age and presents proof acceptable to the board that he or she has fulfilled 1 of the following requirements: (a) Has been an active member of a national professional massage therapy association recognized by and acceptable to the board that was established before the year 2000, if that association offers professional liability insurance and has an established code of professional ethics. (b) Has practiced massage therapy for an average of at least 10 hours per week for 10 or more years, as established by affidavit of the applicant. (c) Has practiced massage therapy an average of 20 hours per week for at least 1 year before the effective date of this part, as established by affidavit of the applicant, and has completed at least 150 hours of formal training in massage therapy acceptable to the board. For a complete copy of HB 5233, please visit http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&ObjName=2003-HB-5233 10/29/03: ABMP continues to monitor for activity in Michigan. The Michigan Medical Massage Association has drafted proposed legislation. There is a complete copy of the draft at www.americanmedicalmassage.com. To determine if a bill has been introduced in the 2003 legislative session, visit www.michiganlegislature.org. 7/16/03:UNIFIED MASSAGE THERAPISTS FOR LICENSURE IN MICHIGAN JUNE 14TH, 2003 EAST LANSING MARRIOTT 10AM-1PM Charla Sweat RRT, CMT, President of the Michigan Medical Massage Association called the meeting to order at 10:00a.m. . Introduced Margaret Szenditis, the President of the Michigan Chapter of the AMTA and Lyn Watson the President of the Michigan Chapter of the IMF. . The minutes from the February 22nd, 2003 meeting were read and Charla discussed the progress from that point. . Charla explained the urgency to come to together and pass this licensure bill due to the upcoming Physical Therapy bills. These bills, which are listed as HB4176 and HB4637, are trying to include Massage Therapy in their scope of practice. If this occurs they could then dictate how we practice. Rep. Barbara Vanderveen is the sponsor of this legislation. . Ms. Sweat then announced that Joanne Voorhees has dropped our bill as a sponsor because: 1. She felt we were not unified enough and, 2. She felt the local ordinances were doing enough to regulate the Massage profession. . Joanne Voorhees had announced that she would turn the legislation over to Rep. Susan Tabor to look at. . As of June 23rd Susan Tabor has decided she is too busy to take on our legislation. . It was emphasized that we restart the calls, letters, and emails to our local Representatives and Senators to gain support and find a new Republican sponsor. Ms. Sweat reiterated the fact that the House was made up of mainly Republicans so we need a Republican Sponsor. . MichiganGovernment.com will bring up a list of the Representatives and Senators in your area and state. Margaret Szenditis was introduced to explain a survey their organization circulated regarding the standpoint of the AMTA regarding licensure in Michigan. . Out of 1200 members who received the survey, 106 AMTA members responded. . 50% of their members STRONGLY SUPPORT state licensure while 29% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT it. That is a 79% approval for licensure. . Ms. Szenditis went on to report that rest of the survey is very supportive for state licensure. The draft was then looked at and the changes that were made since the last meeting in February. The group had a long conversation regarding changes that still needed to be made including: 1. The exemptions that are already included and the language changes for each specific group that do not want to be included in the legislation. 2. Mr. James Horton representing the ABMP asked that we number the pages and each section to make it easier to follow. He also asked for specific word changes in the Grandfather provisions. 3. The hours in the bill needed for licensure was heavily discussed. The group discussed the need for having 500 hours or 500 "contact" hours was needed in the bill. Ms. Sweat agreed to do more research on the topic so the discussion could move on. 4. It was shown that Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) would be our title if licensure goes through. Ms. Sweat then moved the meeting on to what the group needs to be doing to further this cause and help. . It was reiterated that each letter and phone call represent 2000 people who are either to shy or busy to call themselves. . When making phone calls or writing letters be sure to tell them you are part of an organization like the AMTA, ABMP, or the MMMA. It shows you are part of a group that may have constituents in all areas of the state. . The group was then broken up into smaller groups according to their cities. Each group elected a spokesperson that Ms. Sweat can contact and have the spokesperson contact the people in their area. . It was emphasized that the groups not only call the House of Representatives but the Senators, also. . Ms. Sweat, also, emphasized that the groups contact other Massage Therapists in their area to educate them on the process. We want to be as unified as possible for the next Sponsor who takes on our cause. Both the AMMA and the AMTA have the bills progress posted on their websites as well as the MMMA and the MI chapter of the AMTA. Ms. Sweat will also respond to any emails sent requesting progress of the bill. Her email address is Charsweat@yahoo.com. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday November 2nd, 2003 in East Lansing at the Sheraton Hotel from 10am-1pm. The meeting was adjourned at 1pm. **************************************************** PART . MASSAGE THERAPY 100.0 Definitions; principles of construction. Sec. 00000. (1) As used in this part: "Practice of massage therapy" means a scientific discipline of manual therapy that provides assessment, education, consultation and treatment of and with an individual through applying manual therapy techniques, for the purpose of relieving stresses to the human body. Massage therapy includes treatment planning and delivery of therapy by use of hands on technique or manual physical practices. The practice of massage therapy does not include medical diagnosis or identification of diseases or causes of diseases. The practice of massage therapy does include; (a) The assessment of soft tissue tension and hyperesthesia for the purpose of relaxing connective and muscle tissues, normalizing circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting, soft tissue healing, and the maintenance of general good physical and mental wellbeing. (b) The use of mechanical soft tissue vibratory devices or manual vibration, thermal heat, cupping and cold applications and stretching; (c) Therapeutic assistance, coordination, and delivery of manual therapy in conjunction with medical and chiropractic physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and other approved allied medical personnel. (2) "Board" means the Massage Therapy Board appointed by the Governor. (3) "School" means a facility that meets minimum standards for training and curriculum as determined by the Michigan Department of Career Development, Michigan Department of Education, or other state departments that regulate education and training in Michigan schools. (4) "Department" means the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. (5) "Massage Therapist" means an individual with training and/or experience in the performance of massage therapy. 200.0 Exemptions. Sec. 00000. (1) This act shall not regulate, or prohibit a person licensed under any other Act in this State from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed including but not limited to, physicians, podiatrists, naprapaths, and physical therapists. (2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting the standard practices as occupational therapists, chiropractors and others from applying massage therapy in a manner consistent with their scope of practice and pertinent licensing provisions. (3) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that their services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education, the Trager Approach® to movement education, Body-Mind Centering®, if they are approved by their governing body based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards. (4) Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice of any person in this state who uses touch to affect the energy systems, acupoints or Qi meridians (channels of energy) of the human body while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that their services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Such practices include, but are not limited to Polarity Therapy, Polarity Therapy Bodywork, Asian Bodywork Therapy, Acupressure, Jin Shin Do®, Qi Gong, Reiki and Shiatsu. Practitioners must be recognized by either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimal level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards. These exempt practitioners aer also allowed to use the terms OEBodywork, OEBodyworker, and OEBodywork Therapist in their promotional materials. (5) Practitioners of Rolfing are exempt from this Act if they are approved by their governing body based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards. (6) This Act further exempts reflexologists, cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians who apply limited massage to the hands, feet, shoulders, neck, head, and scalp. (7) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit any of the following: (a) An individual providing massage to an immediate family member; (b) A massage student enrolled in a state approved massage training program and performing massages as a component of their training provided the student does not charge a fee for his or her services; (c) An individual providing services determined by the board to be outside the scope of this act; 300.0 License or authorization required. Sec. 00000. (1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of massage therapy unless licensed or otherwise authorized by this article; (a) An individual shall not represent, announce or hold himself or herself out to the public through any media whatsoever as being able to apply massage, massage therapy in any form, modified form or sub-specialty or other massage therapy related services, unless the individual is duly licensed under this article; (2)An applicant may be licensed under this act who meets the following conditions: (a) Has a high school diploma or the equivalent. (b) Is at least eighteen years of age and in good moral character. In determining good moral character the board will take under consideration a conviction of any crime under the laws of the State of Michigan or any other state as well as the laws of the United States that is a felony directly related to the practice of the profession. A conviction may not automatically bar a potential license, except in the case of any conviction for prostitution, rape, or sexual misconduct, or where the applicant is a registered sex offender. (c) Has successfully completed a school or program that requires a minimum of five hundred (500) hours, providing the school offering the program is in good standing with any state, regional, or national agency or governmental regulatory body charged with regulating massage therapy schools or programs; (d) Has taken and passed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or the National Certification Exam of the American Medical Massage Association, or any other equivalent national or state massage therapy examination; (e)Has filled out the prescribed licensure application and paid the required application fees. (f) A current license to practice massage from another state or jurisdiction or that substantially meets or exceeds the standards of this Act. 400.0 Grandfathering Provision (1)For a period of one year after the effective date of the rules established under this Act, the Department may issue a license to an applicant who, in addition to meeting the criteria in Section 300.0 paragraphs (a) and (b), can produce proof that he or she has met at least one of the following requirements before the effective date of this Act: (a) The board shall issue a license to any individual who has been an active member, for a period of at least one year prior to application for licensure, of a national professional massage therapy organization established prior to the year 2000, which offers professional liability insurance and a code of ethics; (b) Has practiced massage therapy an average of at least 10 hours per week for at least 10 years; (c) Has practiced massage therapy an average of at least 10 hours per week for at least one year prior to the effective date of this Act and has completed at least 150 hours of formal training in massage therapy. (3) Has passed the NCETMB, the National Certification Exam of the AMMA, the International Myomassethics Federation's Certification exam or other equivalent national or state massage therapy examination and has maintained current certification. (4) All such individuals licensed at the Board's discretion shall fully comply in any subsequent years of Michigan licensure with the section titled "Renewal of license." (5)All such individuals licensed at the Board's discretion shall enjoy the identical license as other licensed massage therapists. 500.0 Restricted use of words, titles, and letters. Sec. 000000. (1) An individual shall not use the titles "massage therapist", "M.T.", "C.M.T.", "masseur", "massagist", "massage" "certified massage therapist", "clinical massage therapist", "medical massage therapist", "manual therapist", "board certified massage therapist", "massage technician", myomassologists, masseuse, or similar words which indicate that the individual is a massage therapist, or certified massage therapist in any massage establishment, facility, clinic, or business, unless the individual is licensed in accordance with this article. Students training in state licensed post secondary or other state-licensed institutions of learning may perform massage therapy treatment as a requirement of their training program; (2) An individual licensed under this act shall use the title "Licensed Massage Therapist" or the credential "L.M.T.". 600.0 Massage therapy education and training program, trade associations, exemptions. Sec. 00000. (1) The board shall recognize and accept all post secondary schools of massage therapy and other institutions of education, with valid licenses issued by an official state department, which provide a minimum of 500 hours of training to include, massage therapy technique, anatomy, physiology, connective tissue and general pathology, ethics, hygiene, and basic first aid. (2) Curriculum and training standards in schools of massage therapy and other educational facilities that provide massage education shall be determined by either the Michigan Department of Career Development, the Michigan Department of Education, or state departments which regulate education and training in Michigan schools; 700.00 Professional membership requirements, national board certification, and promulgation of ethical standards; Sec. 00000 (1) The board will accept applicants for licensure who have acquired national board certification through any trade association or other approved testing body which meets the requirements of this section; (2) The board will not promulgate rules, which restrict the rights of licensees to membership in any nationally recognized massage trade association, which favor one trade association over another, or which interfere with or diminish competition; (3) The board will promulgate rules, which define an ethical code of conduct for the licensed massage profession; 800.0 Michigan board of massage therapy: creation; membership, special exemptions. Sec. 00000. (1) The Michigan board of massage therapy is created in the department and shall consist of the following 9 voting members who shall meet the requirements of part 161, 5 massage therapists, 4 public members; (2) Public members of the board shall not be massage therapists or licensed under this act; public members shall not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the business of massage therapy or massage therapy education; (3) Massage therapist members of the board shall not own or have a direct financial interest in any schools, whether post secondary, a college or university, or any other educational institution that teaches massage therapy. (4) Massage therapist members of the board shall not hold a directory position or be a board member of any national massage organization. (5) All members of the Board shall be entitled to compensation for all legitimate and necessary expenses incurred while attending Board and Department meetings. (6) The term of each board member shall be three years; (7) A board member may not serve more than two consecutive terms in addition to any unexpired term to which the individual was appointed; (8) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (6) of this section, each member of the board shall hold office until a successor has been appointed; (9) The board shall meet as often as necessary to conduct business but not less than two (2) times per year; (10) Any Massage Therapist who is appointed to the State Massage Board for the initial term shall be especially exempt from the requirements set forth herein to the extent that such State Massage Board appointees shall be deemed immediately to be in compliance with this section during the performance of their initial official duties, as members of the Board. (a) Such appointees (or their successors in the event of an initial appointees' death or early resignation from service) shall be "licensed massage therapists" within the meaning of definitions set forth in this act. (b) Such Board appointees shall be required to comply fully with this section if they choose to continue to practice massage therapy in the State of Michigan after the conclusion of their term of service; (c) This special exemption applies only to the initial members of the Board, subsequent members shall undergo the common licensure procedure as outlined in this act. 900.0 Duties of the Department, Subject to provision of Act the Department shall; Sec. 00000. (1) Formulate rules for the administration of this Act. Notice of proposed rule making shall be communicated to the Board and the Department shall review the Board's response and any recommendations made in response. (2) Determine the qualifications of an applicant for licensure by endorsement or other means. (3) Conduct hearings or proceedings to refuse to issue or renew, or to revoke, to suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or otherwise discipline a person licensed under this Act. (4) Request the advice and counsel of the Board on matters or issues related to the administration and enforcement of this Act. (5) Maintain a directory of the names and contact information of all licensees and all individuals who have received administrative sanction under this Act. 1000.0 Supercedes other massage ordinances and license requirements. Sec. 00000. (1) After a period of 2 years following the effective date this act will supercede and establish exclusive jurisdiction for the licensure and regulation of massage therapy in the State of Michigan. 1100.0 Fees. Sec. 00000. (1) The fees under this Act shall be set by the Department under administrative rule. 1200.0 Renewal of license; evidence required, Discretion of Board. Sec. 00000. (1)Notwithstanding the requirements of part 161, the board will require a licensee seeking renewal of a license to furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that during the 2 years before the application for renewal the licensee has obtained continuing education credits (CEU's) approved by the board; The hours of which will have totaled not less than 12 in subjects related to the practice of massage therapy and business designed to further educate licensees; (a) Each individual licensed pursuant to this act has an affirmative duty to make a written referral to a licensed healing arts practitioner, who is authorized to diagnose, of any client who has any physical or medical condition that will obviously constitutes a contraindication for massage therapy. (b) No individual shall use the title "Michigan licensed massage therapist" or "Massage Therapist" or similar words as stated elsewhere in this section, unless the individual is licensed in accordance with this section. 1300.0 Michigan Massage Licensure Fund Established Sec. 00000. (1) The Michigan Massage Licensure Fund is established in the state treasury. Of the money that is attributed to per-year license fees collected under section 00000, the State Treasurer shall credit 15% of each individual annual license fee collected to the Michigan Massage Licensure Professional Fund, the remainder to be credited to the Michigan General Fund. (2) The money so allotted shall be used to pay the operating expenses and stipends of the State Massage Board. (a) All funds under section 00000 shall be deposited with the State Treasurer to the credit of the Michigan General Fund, for the benefit of the public good, 15% being designated for use by the State Massage Board. The Board shall use the fund only in connection with the official duties required under article. (b) Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall carry forward to the next fiscal year. 4/24/03: The Michigan Medical Massage Association has drafted proposed legislation and has found a sponsor for the bill. There is a complete copy of the draft at www.americanmedicalmassage.com. To determine if a bill has been introduced in the 2003 legislative session, visit www.michiganlegislature.org/. 4/2/03: The MMMA is having another community meeting about the draft of the licensing bill, on June 14th, 2003. Same place and time as the February Meeting. East Lansing Marriott 300 M.A.C. Avenue East Lansing 10 - 1 PM Contact Information charsweat@yahoo.com www.americanmanualmedicine.com/ 1/31/03: The Michigan Medical Massage Association will be hosting a meeting for massage therapists. Location: Marriott Convention Center 300 M.A.C. Avenue East Lansing MI. Date: February 22, 2003 Time: 10am-1pm. "The agenda is to discuss the bill and the legislative process it must go through to become law. It will give everyone the chance to voice their suggestions in changes in the bill. We will, hopefully, recruit helpers to educate the Representatives in our state. This will be a large process but they need to be educated so they will pass the bill when it crosses their desks! The intention for the meeting is to move forward with licensure in Michigan and therapists supporting this effort are encouraged to attend." 1/30/03: The Michigan Medical Massage Association has drafted proposed legislation and, at press time, was in the process of incorporating suggested changes from interested parties, including ABMP. To determine if a bill has been introduced in the 2003 legislative session, visit www.michiganlegislature.org/ ABMP continues to track for any massage regulations that may be introduced in the 2003 legislative session. 7/3/01: For information on Legislative activity in Michigan, we encourage you to visit groups.yahoo.com/group/MIBWLEGISINFO. 5/18/01: House Bill 4203 has not seen any action since February 13, 2001, when it was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. 3/26/01: House Bill 4203 creates the Michigan Board of Massage, defines massage therapy and massage therapist and protectes the titles "Massage Therapist", "Licensed Massage Therapist", "MT" and "LMT" or similar words that indicate the individual is a licensed massage therapist. The bill also stipulates that the board shall promulgate rules that specify the minimum standards for licensure as a licensed massage therapists. For purposes of this sections, the professional standards issued by the American Massage Therapy Association or any other recognized professional associations may be adopted by the board. For a complete copy of the bill, please visit www.michiganlegislature.org/find.asp |