Recent News and Legislative Updates

Kentucky Considers Amending Massage Therapy Practice Act

02/24/2010

For the last two years, the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy and a few representatives from both ABMP and the AMTA-Kentucky Chapter have been discussing changes to the Massage Therapy Practice Act. House Bill 180, sponsored by Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo, is the result of those discussions. If passed, HB 180 would make a few small changes to the existing law:
  • An exemption for instructors who are residents of another state who are in Kentucky to teach short term would be clarified.

California Regulatory Update

02/17/2010

Les Sweeney, NCTM President, ABMP The blogosphere has heated up lately regarding implementation of statewide massage regulations in California—we think that’s healthy. The massage community needs to be engaged in offering its opinions. It took six years to get a bill passed; how the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) implements the law is just as important.

Student Clinic Issue Resolved for Michigan Proprietary Schools

02/12/2010

Senate bill 786, sponsored by Senator Sanborn, was approved by Governor Granholm on January 4, 2010. The law amends how proprietary schools are licensed and regulated in Michigan as previously defined by law. ABMP became involved with this effort a few years ago when we were contacted by several proprietary schools concerned that the Proprietary School Unit (the division authorized to enforce the Proprietary School Act) were enforcing a provision in the law that did not allow massage therapy schools to sell goods or services provided by its students.

Kansas Committee Does Not Recommend Licensure of Massage Therapists

12/14/2009

As reported in November, The KDHE Occupational Credentialing Technical Review Committee has been evaluating the American Massage Therapy Association’s sunrise document to determine whether the profession meets the criteria for regulation in Kansas. On Friday, December 11, 2009, the committee voted not to recommend to the state legislature the licensure of massage therapists in Kansas, stating the profession did not meet the criteria.

Wisconsin Considers Amending the Regulation of Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers

12/14/2009

Assembly bill 588, sponsored by Representative Berceau, would make a number of changes to the regulation of massage and bodywork therapists. Under current law, a person who is not certified as a massage therapist or bodyworker by the Department of Regulations and Licensing may not designate himself/herself as a massage therapist or bodyworker. AB 588 would make it mandatory for massage and bodywork therapists to be licensed by the state in order to practice.

Kansas Committee Considering Recommendation to License Massage Therapists

11/03/2009

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the AMTA Kansas chapter submitted a sunrise document (essentially an application to license massage therapists in Kansas) to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The KDHE Occupational Credentialing Technical Review Committee was appointed to review the document in a series of four meetings, two of which have already occurred; it will make a recommendation to the legislature whether massage therapy should be regulated in the state of Kansas based on this document.

California to Resume Oversight of Private Postsecondary Schools

10/21/2009

The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act became inoperative on June 30, 2007 and was repealed on January 1, 2008. There has been no regulatory body with oversight of private postsecondary schools since then. In response, on October 11, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 48 into law. The law establishes the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) within the Department of Consumer Affairs. It will likely take several months for the new bureau to get up and running, however, California will again have oversight of private postsecondary schools.

Montana Board of Massage Therapists Appointed

09/30/2009

The Montana Board of Massage Therapists met for the first time on September 28, 2009. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of writing the rules and regulations to implement the law. ABMP will keep members informed of the progress the board makes and when applications become available. Mr. Michael Eayrs Professional Member Kalispell, MT Term Expires 5/6/2011 Ms. Deborah Kimmet Professional Member Missoula, MT Term Expires 5/6/2013 Ms. Stacy Baird Professional Member East Helena, MT Term Expires 5/6/2012 Dr. Nick Soloway, D.C., LAc. Health Care Provider Helena, MT

Arkansas Board Appointed

09/17/2009

Governor Beebe has appointed members to the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. The board, named below, is charged with the responsibility of implementing the law. Gregg Benefiel, Mountain View. Lisa Douglas, Forrest City. Audra Findley, Russellville. Naomi Hall, Little Rock. Faye Weeks, Rudy. Susie Williams, Little Rock. Mary Kay Wurm, Hot Springs.

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