Recent News and Legislative Updates

Kentucky Governor Signs Bill to Amend Massage Therapy Licensing Law

05/10/2010

A bill amending the massage therapy practice act was signed into law by Governor Beshear on April 12, 2010. The law provides for technical changes to the current law, including :
  • The law adds language allowing the board to accept other entry-level exams, such as the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The MBLEx is currently accepted in 26 states with additional states working (as Kentucky did by amending the law) toward accepting it.

California Assembly Bill 1822 Update

04/22/2010

AB 1822, sponsored by Assemblyman Swanson, passed out of the Assembly Committee on Business, Professions, and Consumer Protection on April 20, 2010, with a vote of 8 for and 3 against. This was the first of several committee hearings the bill will have to pass in order to become law. The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Bill Would Circumvent CAMTC Authority and Return Licensing Ability to Local Municipalities

04/12/2010

In 2008, an important first step toward statewide regulation was taken when California passed a voluntary certification credential for massage therapists. Once obtained, it exempts massage therapists from having to become licensed in every city in which they work. This credential is potentially now in jeopardy.

Board Revises Rules for Advertising

04/06/2010

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy has revised rules regarding advertising. Massage therapists in Georgia must now abide by the two rules listed below.
  • Actively licensed massage therapists shall include their Georgia massage therapy license number on all forms of advertisement no later than October 31, 2010.
  • Establishments providing massage therapy services by more than one licensed massage therapist shall include on all forms of advertisement no later than October 31, 2010, the following statement: “Georgia Licensed Massage Therapists.”

Chicago Proposes Change in the Zoning Ordinance

04/02/2010

The City of Chicago’s Committee on Zoning passed a motion on March 25, 2010, to amend its zoning ordinance affecting massage establishments. The amendment, sponsored by Alderman Ray Suarez (31st Ward), would prohibit “massage establishments” from operating in B Zoning Districts, moving them into C Zoning Districts only. The vote passed 2-0, but the majority of committee members did not vote.

Minnesota Bill to Create Voluntary Registration for Massage Therapists Dies

03/23/2010

Senate File 1233, the Senate’s version of the House’s 1503, has stalled in the Senate Health, Housing, and Family Security committee. Following a hearing on Monday, March 15, 2010, the bill failed to secure a vote and was held over without further action. The bill is considered dead and will likely be re-introduced next year.

Minnesota Considers Adopting Voluntary Registration for Massage Therapists

03/05/2010

If passed, House File 1503, would create a voluntary registration credential for massage therapists and create the Registered Massage Therapist Advisory Council to advise and assist the Board of Nursing in implementing the law. ABMP cannot support the bill in its current form; however, we are working with the AMTA chapter and legislative sponsor with the hope of amending the bill to address our concerns. The following are areas that currently are cause for ABMP’s concern: School Approval

Georgia Legislature Considers Amending the Massage Therapy Licensing Law

03/05/2010

Senate Bill 364, authored by Senator Cecil Staton, would amend the Massage Therapy Practice Act. If passed, the bill would amend the licensing law in three primary ways:
  1. If convicted for a sexual offense, a person's massage therapist license would be suspended.
  2. The penalties for violations to the massage therapy law would increase.
  3. Local jurisdictions would be required to regulate massage businesses.

Wisconsin Committee Passes Bill

02/24/2010

AB 588 was passed favorably out of the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform with two small changes.
  • The Examining Board was changed to an Affiliated Credentialing Board. A credentialing board has similar responsibilities to an examining board. Members are appointed by the governor and subject to senate confirmation, they would have authority to issue administrative rules interpreting the licensing law, and they would have authority to investigate complaints and discipline licensees.

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