Recent News and Legislative Updates

New Law in Connecticut Establishes Criminal Penalties

07/07/2009

On June 26, 2009, Governor Rell signed House Bill 5883 into law. The new law, An Act Concerning The Unlicensed Practice of Massage Therapy, makes it a Class C misdemeanor for anyone to engage in the practice of massage therapy or use the title “massage therapist” without a license from the state Department of Public Health. Such a misdemeanor is punishable by up to three months in prison and a fine of up to $500. The bill goes into effect on October 1, 2009. It does not affect licensed massage therapists.

Governor Granholm Appoints Members to the Board of Massage Therapy

06/26/2009

Governor Granholm has appointed members to the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of writing the rules and regulations to implement the new law. ABMP will keep members informed of the progress the board makes and when applications for licensure become available. Karen Armstrong of Farmington Hills Timothy Bograkos of Lansing Mary Ericson of Plymouth Tiffany Hartung of Warren Dennis Hilton-Scheffler of Mount Clemens Bilky Joda-Miller of Lansing Jodi Kubizna of Grand Rapids Thomas Mackowiak of Lansing Hal Rudnianin of Hancock

Governor Corzine Appoints Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy

05/26/2009

Governor Corzine has appointed members to the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of writing the rules and regulations to implement the law. ABMP will keep members informed of the progress the board makes and when applications become available. Ronald P. Mondello, Esq. (Kinnelon, Morris) Deborah K. Zastocki, FACHE (Randolph, Morris) Alan G. Vonderahe (Sparta, Sussex) Deborah R. Overholt (Mount Laurel, Burlington) Christine Gill Rose (Toms River, Ocean) Cynthia Sincropi-Balena LMT, CMT (Belle Mead, Somerset)

Rule Changes Considered by the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board

05/19/2009

The New Mexico Massage Therapy Board will convene a rule hearing to hear public testimony and comments regarding proposed amendments, repeals, and/or replacements to the rules relating to general provisions, fees, and licensing requirements for individuals, schools, and instructors. Details on the proposed changes can be found at http://www.rld.state.nm.us/Massage/news.html.

ABMP Opposes NCBTMB Oregon Amendment Proposal

05/19/2009

HB 2059 is currently moving through the Oregon State Legislature. The bill amends and creates new provisions for health regulatory boards, including the Oregon Board of Massage Therapy (OBMT). This seemingly innocuous bill turned much less so on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, when the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) proposed an amendment that would require the OBMT to accept their national certification exams. The amendment (HB 2059-A7) reads as follows:

Licensing Law Signed by Montana Governor Schweitzer

05/07/2009

House bill 662, providing for the state licensing of massage therapists, was signed into law by Governor Schweitzer on May 5, 2009. The new law goes into effect immediately. However, applications for state licenses will not become available until a Board of Massage Therapists is appointed then writes rules and regulations to implement the law. There is no action for you to take at this time. ABMP will continue to keep members informed.

Practices Usually Excluded from New Mexico Massage Licensing

04/29/2009

House bill 664, was signed into law by Governor Richardson on April 7, 2009.The bill, sponsored by Representative W. Ken Martinez, creates “The Unlicensed Health Care Act.” The bill essentially states that a complementary and alternative health care practitioner who is not licensed in New Mexico as a health care practitioner shall not be in violation of any licensing laws unless the practitioner engages in a scope of practice that exceeds his or her training or practices a profession that is already licensed by the state.

Arkansas Changes Massage Law

04/20/2009

HB 1951 was signed into law by Governor Beebe on April 13, 2009. The bill amends the existing massage therapy law and seats new board members to the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy to oversee implementation. Two changes to the scope of practice of massage therapists should be noted:
  1. Massage of the anus or genital area of another person is prohibited by law and will result in the board revoking the massage therapist’s license to practice, and

Illinois Senate Passes Bill That Would Have Negative Impact on MTs

04/09/2009

Last week the Illinois Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 318 (SB318), which now moves into the Illinois House of Representatives for consideration. As you recall, SB 318, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein, would amend the Medical Practice Act to allow any person licensed under it (physicians, chiropractors) to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel as long as those duties fall within the scope of practice for the physician or chiropractor.

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