Update on Arkansas HB 1562

04/17/2015

Arkansas HB 1562 has now been signed into law. The final version of the bill does not include Bowenwork exclusion or the registration requirement mentioned in our previous Legislative Update. The new law does extend the definition of prohibited sexual misconduct to include an express prohibition against “sexual activity with consent of or at the request of a client,” and also adds new options for late license renewal by licensees who are on active military duty.

Arkansas State Board of Health To Regulate Massage

04/17/2015

AR S 145 was passed by the Arkansas state legislature and has been signed into law.  The new law abolishes the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy and transfers all of the Board’s powers, duties, and functions, including rulemaking, licensing, and adjudications, to the Arkansas State Board of Health.  The main provisions of the law go into effect on October 1, 2015.

Exemption in Idaho for Certain Visiting Therapists

04/17/2015

Idaho HB 23 was signed into law on March 5, 2015.  Under the new law, starting on July 1, 2015, an Idaho massage license is not required for therapists who are currently licensed, registered or certified in another state or foreign country if they are practicing in Idaho on clients participating in organized athletic teams or events, or in performing arts companies, for no more than sixty 60 days in a calendar year.

CE Hours Reduced in North Dakota

04/17/2015

North Dakota SB 2085, discussed in our previous legislative update, was signed into law on April 8, 2015. The final version of the law amends the state’s massage therapy statute by reducing the number of continuing education hours required for massage therapists in North Dakota from 32 to 24, every two years.  The law also reduces the number of CE hours that can be earned remotely from 12 to nine, and requires three hours of ethics CE.  No CE is required during a licensee’s initial two-year licensing period.

Mandatory Massage Establishment License Proposed in North Carolina

03/31/2015

The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy will be holding a public hearing on April 23, 2015 in Raleigh to discuss its recent proposed amendments to the state’s massage regulations, including new rules which would create a mandatory state license requirement for massage establishments. Click here to read the proposed amendments posted on the Board’s website.

New Arkansas Bill Would Transfer Massage Regulation to State Health Board

03/16/2015

AR S 145 was recently introduced in the Arkansas state legislature.  The bill proposes to amend the Arkansas massage therapy law by abolishing the State Board of Massage Therapy and transferring all of the Board’s powers, duties, and functions, including rulemaking, licensing, and adjudications, to the Arkansas State Board of Health.  We will keep you informed of important developments on this bill.

Pages

Subscribe to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals RSS