GR On the Road: WV, PA, TX, OK

ABMP’s Government Relations Director Laura Embleton has had a busy December! She started off the month heading to West Virginia to speak with their board of massage therapy about issues massage therapists are facing across the country and to hear their thoughts about potential updates to their practice act. 

From there, she traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to meet with the Pennsylvania Board of Massage Therapy. The board is finishing up a review of the rules. ABMP was glad to be there to make comments and suggestions during this year-long, rule-making process. 

The week before Christmas, Laura was in Austin, Texas, at the Massage Therapy Advisory Council with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, where she advised the board about a uniform regulation of bodywork therapists—going to 300 hours for schools—and creating a Texas exam in place of the MBLEx.

She is wrapping up the year in Oklahoma City with the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Advisory Board, where they are finalizing an autumn-long revision of their rules.

And it doesn’t stop there—2019 starts off with a bang! In the second week of January, Laura will be heading to Delaware, where they are still working on rules with regard to establishment licensing; then to Washington State, where they are looking at rule revisions; and finally to Minnesota, where ABMP is working with a coalition to look at licensing. 

News

Ohio Adopts Interstate Massage Compact

The Ohio legislature adopted Senate Bill 56 on June 21, becoming the second state to enact the Interstate Massage Compact. Massage therapists will soon be able to obtain a multistate license that will reduce holdups and delays that often occur when moving to a different state.

US Department of Education 150% Rule Update

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction that halts the enforcement of the US Department of Education’s new Bare Minimum Rule, also known as the “100% rule,” until the court takes further action. This is the first step in what could be a lengthy battle to ultimately delay enforcement of the rule, providing schools more time to adjust their programmatic standards, or overturn the rule altogether. Find out more and what your school needs to do to prepare.

Colorado Bill Requires Local Background Checks

Governor Jared Polis signed into law House Bill 24-1371, requiring local government (counties, cities, or municipalities) to conduct periodic criminal background checks for massage establishment operators, owners, and employees.

Blog

Perform Your Best with MassageBook

Illustration of computer and phones displaying MassageBook sites.

MassageBook wants to help you focus on delivering exceptional care to your clients and building the practice of your dreams.

Julie Plachta: Serving the Underserved

Woman massages a client who is lying facedown on a massage table.

As we get closer to celebrating Massage Is for EveryBody, July 14–20, 2024, we wanted to share more of Julie Plachta’s story, which exemplifies the inclusive values of this campaign.

Benefits

Featured ABMP Discount Partner: Hyperice

ABMP members save 10% on all Hyperice percussive and heat/ice technology massage devices, including the Hypervolt, Vyper Vibrating Fitness Roller, and Ice Compression.

Featured ABMP Discount Partner: Yomassage

ABMP members receive 20% off Signature Yomassage, Mindful Touch by Yomassage, Barefoot Yomassage, Table Yomassage, and Yomassage Facials certifications.

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