Georgia Legislature Considers Amending the Massage Therapy Licensing Law

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.

ABMP is opposed to the bill (specifically because of item 3) and has contacted Senator Staton with our concerns. Many local jurisdictions already license massage businesses, to mandate that all do, whether or not the jurisdiction deems it necessary, is overkill. As demonstrated by the sting operation conducted by the Secretary of State’s office in conjunction with local law enforcement on February 17th, the legal tools already exist for the state to go after prostitutes operating under the guise of massage therapy. ABMP is also opposed to the proposed amendment that would allow a licensee to be convicted three separate times of prostitution or sexual offense before losing their license. Once a person licensed to practice massage therapy is convicted of prostitution or sexual offense, their license should be revoked immediately. Voice your opposition to this bill by contacting Senator Staton by e-mail.