Recent News and Legislative Updates

Maryland Considering Changes to Massage Therapy Regulations

01/12/2011

SUGGESTED ACTION STEPS FOR MEMBERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS NOTICE – DEADLINE JANUARY 18, 2011 The Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners is promulgating rules to implement the changes in the law enacted by the Legislature in October 2008. Some of the changes suggested are fundamental housekeeping items, such as name change (for example, the board will be known as the Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners). Others, however, are more substantial in nature and are cause for concern. Specifically, ABMP has concern about the following changes or oversights:

    Kansas Meetings on Massage Regulation Scheduled

    01/03/2011

    As previously reported, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Kansas chapter submitted a sunrise document, essentially an assessment and overview of the profession focusing on whether there is a need to license massage therapists in Kansas, to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The KDHE Occupational Credentialing Technical Review Committee (Committee) has been appointed to review the document in a series of four meetings.

    Wisconsin Licensure Applications Due December 1, 2010

    11/11/2010

    The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) is now accepting applications for licensure. All massage therapists are required to become licensed by December 1, 2010 in order to continue practicing. This is a very tight deadline but the good news is, if you are diligent in filling out the application properly, the DRL processing time is 2-3 days. Submit the application as soon as possible and you will not have a problem becoming licensed by December. Transitioning Your State Certification to a State License

    Vermont Public Hearing Scheduled

    10/14/2010

    As previously reported, ABMP recently helped develop a Sunrise Application for the state of Vermont. The sunrise process is a preliminary assessment of the massage therapy profession conducted by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) to determine whether, in its opinion, the profession should be regulated by the state. The OPR decision will be based purely on public safety concerns. The Sunrise Application, developed by ABMP, the Vermont Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (VT - AMTA), and others, will serve as a guide for the OPR assessment.

    Governor Schwarzenegger to Consider AB 1822

    09/16/2010

    For the last few months AB 1822 has been making its way through the legislative process. In its original form, the bill would have significantly gutted the authority of the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and the certification process enacted under SB 731 (Oropeza) in 2008. In its current form, the bill would provide both the California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association with the ability to appoint a person to the CAMTC board of directors. The bill has passed the General Assembly.

    New Continuing Education Requirements in NY

    09/01/2010

    Governor David Paterson signed SB 5431 into law on August 30, 2010 after the bill was rushed through the legislature. The law will require massage therapists to complete 36 hours of continuing education during each triennial registration period. Of this, a maximum of twelve hours may be self-instruction. Licensees will have to complete a prorated number of continuing education requirements in the first triennial registration period. Licensees could be granted an exemption by the department for reasons of hardship or military service.

    ABMP Opposes California AB 1822

    08/12/2010

    For several months, ABMP has worked (primarily through its role in CAMTC) with the sponsor of California Assembly Bill 1822 to effect several changes that would make AB 1822 more logical and supportive of the massage therapy profession. Unfortunately, the sponsor has stripped out the constructive clean-up language agreed upon, leaving only provisions for two more CAMTC board seats for specified law enforcement organizations.

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