SB 0606 Provides for licensure of massage therapists
Sponsor:Westfall
LR Number:S2551.01I Fiscal Note:2551-01
Committee:Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Last Action:01/28/98 - SCS Voted Do Pass S Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Journal page:
Committee
Title:
Effective Date:August 28, 1998
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Current Bill Summary

SCS/SB 606 - This act provides for the licensing of massage therapists. An "Advisory Commission for Massage Therapists" is created that may make recommendations to the Board of Healing Arts to carry out the provisions of this act. The Commission is authorized to regulate the following: 1) license applications for massage therapists; and 2) standards, including reciprocity, for massage therapists. The Board of Healing Arts shall review applications to operate massage businesses and determine the application fee. A license shall be posted at such business and the massage business license is not transferable.

The Board may make survey inspections of massage businesses. Procedures are enumerated if massage business is found to be in noncompliance after survey inspection. Complaints may be filed against a massage therapist or massage business. The Board may file an action to enjoin a massage business from continuing a violation. The Board shall revoke the license of any business or therapist who obtains a license by misrepresentation or who is convicted of an act of prostitution.

The act lists the requirements for a person to become a massage therapist. A person must either: 1) pass an exam; 2) complete massage therapy studies of at least 500 hours; 3) have completed 500 hours of apprenticeship with a certified mentor; 4) have been licensed in another state with similar standards; or 5) have practiced massage therapy for at least three years and have completed at least 100 hours of training. Certain practitioners are exempt from this act if they provide written proof of such exemption with the Board, including those who have been practicing massage therapy for at least 10 years. An applicant to practice massage therapy shall authorize a criminal background check to be performed by the Commission.

A person who does not hold a license to practice massage or is not exempted may not use the term "massage" or a similar term in its advertising. Local rules and regulations relating to massage, except for zoning regulations, are preempted. Any person who violates the provisions of this act commits a Class A misdemeanor.
JOAN GUMMELS