Senate Bill 227 (SB 227) is essentially a cleanup bill, but also seeks to update licensing requirements, create establishment licensure, increase training hours, and modify fees. SB 227 is out of the Senate, but the South Carolina legislative session adjourned on May 13, 2021. SB 227 will not pass through the legislature this session, but will go through the House in 2022.
Legislative Updates
House Bill 1315 aimed to deregulate massage therapy, but died in the legislature. Senate Bill 2751 is a sunset bill that extends the Mississippi Massage Practice Act, with a few amendments affecting practitioners and schools. SB 2751 was signed by Governor Reeves and goes into effect July 1, 2021.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation adopted new rules March 3, 2021. The changes summarized within this update address new consent requirements for breast massage and human trafficking prevention continuing education updates. The new rules are effective April 1, 2021.
House Bill 1315 attempted to deregulate massage therapy in Mississippi, but died in a house committee March 2, 2021.
Senate Bill 214 removes the provision that English be the sole language for the government in the state of Utah.
Kentucky House Bill 79 was signed by Governor Beshear March 18, 2021. HB 79 requires criminal background checks and photos to be submitted with applications to practice massage therapy.
Effective March 1, 2021, a new rule allows all 24 hours of continuing education credits to be completed online.
Vermont passed Senate Bill 220 last year, which requires massage therapists, bodyworkers, and touch professionals to register with the state by April 1, 2021. Find out what you need to apply.
House Bill 1289, which was passed in 2017, will create mandatory licensure in Indiana after the rules are final. Those who are currently certified will automatically roll into licensure. Those who are not certified have 183 days after the rules are final to apply through grandfathering.
After being postponed in 2020, the California Massage Therapy Act is up for sunset review this legislative session. The Committee on Business and Professions is hosting a meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. PST and you can attend virtually. You can also submit comments to the committee if you think CAMTC should continue or licensure should be considered.