A bill that once promised real progress for Minnesota massage and bodywork therapists has taken a turn, but don’t give up hope quite yet. The bill was amended from a strong statewide licensure model to a voluntary registration model, which would do nothing to advance the profession. ABMP opposes amendments made to Senate File 1131 (SF 1131) because your profession merits regulation that protects your work and your clients. We will not support anything less.
What SF 1131 Was Supposed to Do
SF 1131 was initially drafted to:
- Establish statewide licensure for massage and bodywork therapists
- Create consistent educational standards
- Define a unified scope of practice
- Enforce ethical and practice violations
- Strengthen consumer and practitioner safety
ABMP strongly supported this original version. It had broad backing from partner organizations and massage and bodywork therapists across the state.
An Amendment and a Line in the Sand
SF 1131 was reintroduced this week with amendments that completely gutted the bill. Instead of mandatory licensure, the bill now proposes an optional registration system. Here’s why that’s a problem:
- Voluntary registration is toothless. Those operating illegally will choose not to register.
- It provides zero consumer protection. Nothing changes for public safety.
- It offers no professional benefits. No portability, no credibility, no standards.
- It creates unnecessary red tape without solving any real issues.
- It gives the appearance of oversight while delivering none.
This amendment rewrites the bill’s intent and removes every meaningful improvement the profession needs. Why pay a fee for an optional registration that doesn’t deliver any professional benefits?
We’ve Seen This Before, and It Doesn’t Work
States with weak regulatory models struggle. For example:
- California: Voluntary certification has failed to curb illicit activity. In fact, the state has the highest number of illicit massage businesses in the country. Some cities mandate the certification, which confuses practitioners and makes the “voluntary” framework not so voluntary after all.
- Vermont: Mandatory registration, one step beyond what is proposed in this amendment, amounts to little more than signing your name in a database. Five years since implementation, the state is still trying to move toward licensure.
Where We Stand
Minnesota massage and bodywork therapists need a regulatory system that protects the public and elevates the profession. Settling for a voluntary registration will not accomplish these goals. Subpar regulation could risk delaying full licensure for years, as we’ve witnessed in other states.
So, what now? The fight isn’t over. We are working with legislators and stakeholders to find a solution that gives you the recognition and regulation you deserve. We will keep you updated and let you know in a few weeks if we need you to engage and lend your voices to the fight. ABMP will continue advocating for statewide licensure because you deserve better.