Recent News and Legislative Updates

Bill Would Expressly Allow Local Regulation of Massage Businesses in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s existing massage therapy statute does not expressly prevent towns and cities from enacting their own local licensing or other regulation of massage therapists and massage therapy businesses. A new bill, HB 7007, states this position expressly by proposing that language be added to the statute stating that “any city or town may, by ordinance, regulate the opening, the presence, the location, and the operation of any massage business or massage parlor located or operating









Wisconsin Bill Proposes Combining Multiple Boards, Including Massage Therapy Board

SB 568, a bill introduced in Wisconsin, and its companion bill AB 726, is an attempt by some to reduce “red tape” in regulatory affairs. The bill would combine the boards that oversee massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and athletic trainers. Currently the board of massage therapy in Wisconsin has seven members serving.


Massage Envy Spa Accepting Applications for 2016 Scholarship Competition

The Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) Foundation is accepting applications through March 28, 2016 for the 2016 BCL-Massage Envy Scholarship Competition. Six students enrolled in a massage therapy education program at a qualified school will receive a $1,500 tuition scholarship toward their education. In addition, each winner’s school will receive a $500 award to enhance its massage therapy program. The scholarships are funded by Massage Envy and administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.


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