Recent News and Legislative Updates

Human Trafficking Notices Must be Posted by MTs Who Employ 5 or More People by January 1, 2014

10/09/2013

House Bill No. 1068 was signed Governor Abercrombie on July 3, 2013, and is now Hawaii state law.  The law requires that, starting on January 1, 2014, massage therapy establishments that employ five or more people must post a notice, at least 8 ½ by 11 inches in size, containing contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline.  The notice must be posted in a place where employees can easily see it. 

Minor Changes to South Carolina’s Massage Law are Adopted

06/28/2013

Senate Bill S. 214, signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on June 7, 2013, amends South Carolina’s Massage/Bodywork Practice Act (MPA) in several ways. Many of the changes are minor wording changes. However, there are some important substantive changes as well. Previously, the massage profession in South Carolina was regulated by two separate panels under the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation: an “Advisory Panel” and a “Disciplinary Panel.” S.

Florida Massage Establishments May Not Operate Between Midnight and 5 AM

06/28/2013

House bill 7005, signed into law on June 14, 2013, prohibits the operation of massage establishments between the hours of midnight and 5:00 AM. The prohibition does not apply to: health care facilities, hotels, timeshares, and airports if the massage is performed under a medical prescription or during a county-approved special event. The new law also states that a massage establishment cannot be used as a primary residence unless it is zoned for residential use.

Two Oklahoma Bills Introduced to Require Licensing of Massage Therapists, Both Fail

06/24/2013

As previously reported, two bills were introduced in 2013 with the intent of regulating massage therapists at the state level. One bill attempted to regulate massage therapists under the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners; the other under the State Board of Medical Licensure. Both bills needed significant changes in order to earn the support of ABMP and the rest of the massage therapy profession. Neither bill progressed through the legislature this year.

Bill to Require Licensing of Massage Therapists Fails in Kansas

06/24/2013

House Bill 2187 failed to pass the state legislature. The bill would have set minimum training requirements, defined a scope of practice, provided an avenue for consumer complaints, and pre-empted local regulations. If passed, the bill would have required massage therapists to become licensed by the state under the Kansas State Board of Nursing, and would have established a Massage Therapy Advisory Committee to advise the Board in carrying out the provisions of the Act.

Georgia Law Requires Bodyworkers to Post Human Trafficking Notices

06/24/2013

Georgia House bill 141 was amended through the process to require that only an establishment that offers massage or bodywork services by a person who is not a massage therapist must post a notice which contains specified information about human trafficking and contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. The notice will have to be 8 ½ inches by 11 inches in size.

Indiana Bill to Require Mandatory Licensing Fails, State Certification Continues

06/24/2013

Senate bill 573 failed to pass the state legislature this year. The bill would have changed the current state certification (title protection) program, to a mandatory licensing (practice act) program. The bill would have also expanded the authority of the State Board of Massage Therapy by authorizing it to establish standards for the competent practice of massage therapy, approve massage therapy school curricula consistent with accepted national standards, and establish continuing education requirements. ABMP expects a new bill to be introduced next year.

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