New Jersey

On January 13, 2008, Governor Corzine signed Senate Bill 2536, sponsored by Senator Nia Gill, into law. In November, ABMP reported that Assembly Bill 4455, sponsored by Assemblyman Wilfredo Carraballo, passed out of the Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee. In December, the two bills were consolidated into one bill, S2536. The bill content did not change significantly from what was reported in November.

Assembly Bill 4455, sponsored by Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo (D – Dist. 29), was passed out of the Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee Monday, November 19, 2007. A4455 would amend the current voluntary certification law by establishing a practice act that would require mandatory licensing of massage and bodywork therapists, as well as establish a Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy to replace the Massage, Bodywork, and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee currently in place under the Board of Nursing.

Assembly Bill 4104, sponsored by Assemblyman Sean Kean, has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill would remove the sales tax on massage, bodywork, and somatic services. ABMP is very supportive of this bill although Governor Corzine has already publicly stated that the state cannot afford any tax rollbacks. There is no action to take at this time.

Senate Bill 2536, sponsored by Sen. Nia Gill, has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill would amend the current voluntary certification law by requiring mandatory licensing of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapists. While the bill positively addresses many ABMP concerns with the current law, it misses a few key points as well. To view the entire bill, go to: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S3000/2536_I1.PDF

As ABMP reported, effective Sunday, October 1, 2006, massage, bodywork, and somatic services will be subject to 7% sales tax in New Jersey unless the client has a prescription from a doctor. I recommend that you read this bulletin carefully, then follow up with a trip to the website mentioned to begin the process. If you are employed by someone else, your employer is responsible for collecting the tax. However,

Despite the efforts of ABMP members and massage, bodywork, and somatic therapists throughout the state, the New Jersey Legislature passed a budget bill that increased the state’s sales and use tax from 6% - 7% on July 15,2006, and expands the base sales tax on October 1, 2006. From Assembly Bill 4901, the provision reads: "3. There is imposed and there shall be paid a tax of 7% upon: (9) Massage, bodywork or somatic services, except such services provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription."