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 within the municipality, including those businesses and parlors offering licensed massage therapy or unlicensed massage services, sometimes referred to as ‘body works.’” Thus, if passed, the bill would make explicit what has previously been implicit in the state’s massage law.  We will keep you informed of the status of the bill.