Recent News and Legislative Updates

Bill Reauthorizing CO Massage Law Moves through State Legislature

02/21/2013

Colorado Senate Bill 151 was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2013.  The bill now goes to the Appropriations Committee for review.  If passed, the bill will extend the Colorado Massage Therapy Practice Act, the law that regulates massage therapists in Colorado, until 2022.  SB 151 does not make any drastic changes to the existing massage law.  The requirements for licensure will be the same as they have been for registration:  500 hours of massage thera

Indiana Bill Would Require Mandatory Licensing for the Practice of Massage Therapy

02/18/2013

Indiana Senate Bill 573 (Landske) was passed by members of the Committee on Public Policy on February 14, 2013. This is the first step in a long legislative process. If passed, the bill would amend the current state certification law to a mandatory practice act. Anyone practicing, or advertising that they practice massage therapy, would be required to obtain a license in order to practice legally in the state.

SD Amendment to HB 1126 Makes Little Difference in Current Law

02/11/2013

HB 1126 was amended during the House floor vote. The amendment changed one word in the entire massage law. The board shall (instead of may) issue a license to engage is the practice of massage to a person who submits an application form and the nonrefundable application fee as approved in § 36-35-17 and who demonstrates the following qualifications…. The qualifications for licensure remained the same.

Oklahoma Bills Would Require that Massage Therapists Become Licensed

02/11/2013

Two bills have been introduced in the Oklahoma state legislature which would require that all massage therapists in Oklahoma have state licenses in order to practice, and that all massage schools have state licenses in order to operate.  Neither bill has been set for hearing in the legislature.  ABMP is opposed to both of these bills unless significant changes are made.

FL Bill Would Impose New Requirements for Massage Establishments

02/11/2013

Florida Senate Bill 500 (and companion bill: House Bill 7005, affecting massage establishments, has been scheduled for a hearing in the state legislature. Current law requires that all massage establishments, defined as “a site or premises, or portion thereof, wherein a massage therapist practices massage,” must have a state-issued license in order to operate.

GA Bill Would Require Posting of Human Trafficking Notices in Massage Establishments

02/11/2013

Georgia House Bill 141 was recently introduced in the state legislature. If passed, the bill would require that all establishments that offer massage or bodywork services by a massage therapist must post a notice (1) in the establishment’s restroom and (2) near the establishment’s entrance or in another conspicuous location, which contains specified information about human trafficking and contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

South Dakota Bill Would Repeal the Regulation of Massage Therapists

01/31/2013

House bill 1126 was introduced and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee where it was passed (11-2) on January 25, 2013. The bill will now be voted on by all members of the state House of Representatives (House) and if passed, will advance to the Senate for the same process. HB 1126 would repeal the Massage Therapy Practice Act (Act) and massage therapists would no longer be regulated in the state.

Oregon Bill Would Require Permit for Operation of Massage Facilities

01/31/2013

Oregon Senate Bill 387 was recently introduced in the state legislature. If passed, the bill would require that all “massage facilities,” meaning any “facility where a person engages in the practice of massage,” must obtain a massage facility permit from the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists in order to operate. This requirement would not apply to licensed massage schools or to individual massage therapists working out of their homes.

Pages