AMTA Government Relations Committee
Legislative Briefing

January 2006

California

Senator Liz Figueroa introduced Senate Bill 412 on February 17, 2005 and the language has been amended several times since introduction.  SB 412 is currently pending action in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.  Please refer to the AMTA California Chapter Website for a more detailed update on the status of this legislation, recently amended language and lobbying activities: http://www.amta-ca.org/html/licensing.htm

Idaho

Senate Bill 1418 was introduced on February 11, 2002. The licensure requirements include a minimum of 500 hours of education and successful completion of the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or an examination administered or approved by the board.  The bill also includes a grandfathering provision for individuals with 100 hours of education and at least one year of experience or successful completion of the NCETMB or an examination administered or approved by the board.  The bill was referred to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee.  No further action taken to date. 

Indiana

Senate Bill 139 to regulate massage therapy and create a massage therapy board was adopted in the House and referred to the Senate.  The bill died in the House-Senate Conference Committee before it could be signed by Governor Daniels.  On January 12, 2006, Representative Frizzell re-introduced legislation to regulate massage therapy and establis h a state board of massage therapy.  House Bill 1098 requires a minimum of 500 hours of supervised classroom instruction and successful completion of one of the following: the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), an equivalent examination accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), or an examination created or approved by the board.  HB 1098 was referred to the House Committee on Public Policy and Veterans Affairs on January 12, 2006.  The legislation was favorably reported out of the Committee with technical amendments on January 23, 2006.  Representatives Kuzman, Bischoff and Stutzman were added as co-sponsors.

Iowa

House File 2030 was introduced by Rep. Shoultz on January 10, 2006 and referred to the House Committee on State Government.  The bill provides an exemption from massage therapy licensure requirements for graduates of an approved curriculum of massage education.  An applicant for licensure as a massage therapist, who successfully completed a program recognized by the Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, may practice under the supervision of a licensed massage therapist pending receipt of his/her national certification examination results.  Technical changes are also made to existing exemption provisions relating to an individual who practices reflexology and any modality related to, but not constituting, massage therapy.

Kentucky

Senate Bill 91 is a clean up bill which amends the Massage Therapy Practice Act.  The legislation was introduced January 18, 2006 by Senators Denton and Worley.  SB 91 was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 1, 2006.  To view a copy of the bill language, please visit: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/06RS/SB91/bill.doc.  

Michigan

House Bill 5218 was introduced on September 22, 2005 to provide for licensure of massage therapists.  The bill would establish the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy and take effect when funding is appropriated.  The bill is pending action in the House Committee on Health Policy.  To view a copy of bill language, please visit: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2005-HB-5218

Mississippi

Rep. Moore introduced House Bill 415 on January 6, 2006.  The bill was read and referred to the House Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations.  HB 415 provides exemptions from certain licensing, renewal and tuition fees along with bonding requirements to publicly funded post secondary institutions and for-profit colleges and schools that teach courses in addition to massage therapy and are required to register with the Commission on Proprietary Schools and College Registration.

Senate Bill 2290 was introduced by Sen. Burton on January 6, 2006 to provide an extension of professional licensure, to include licensed massage therapists, for any member of the Mississippi National Guard or United States Armed Forces Reserves while the member is serving on federal active duty.  This extension shall continue for 90 days after return from active duty.  The bill was referred to the Senate Business and Financial Institutions Committee.

Massachusetts

House Bill 3412 to regulate massage therapy and create a board of registration of massage therapy was favorably reported out of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on September 29, 2005.  The Senate companion bill, SB 2212, was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee that same day.  The Senate Ways and Means Committee recommended passage of SB 2212 with an amendment.  The amended version became SB 2258, which was referred to the Senate Ethics and Rules Committee on November 2, 2005.  The measure, without the amendment, passed by the full Senate on November 15, 2005 and was referred back to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.  No further action taken to date.  To view a copy of bill language, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st02/st02258.htm

New Hampshire

Senate Bill 313 was introduced by co-sponsors Sen. Clark and Sen. Larsen on January 4, 2006.  SB 313 would amend the state massage therapy licensure law by allowing certain exemptions to the requirements for massage therapy licensure.  Specifically, the bill exempts individuals who practice Rolfing, Trager, reflexology, shiatsu, reiki, and polarity and who do not use the title of “massage therapist” in their practice.  To accompany SB 313, a fiscal note was issued by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services stating the bill would decrease state revenue and expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2007 and each year thereafter.  The Department assumes savings will result if fewer licenses are issued and the Department is required to enforce the requirements for massage therapy licensure on fewer licensed massage practitioners.  The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Executive Departments and Administration.  A hearing has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 8, 2006.  

New Jersey

Assembly Bill 4034 was introduced on May 5, 2005 by Assemblyman Barnes. This bill would amend the current voluntary state certification to mandatory certification by requiring all individuals who render massage, bodywork or somatic therapy services to be certified.  The bill was amended by the Law and Public Safety Committee in May 2005 and ultimately died in Assembly.  Assemblyman Barnes re-introduced the legislation on January 10, 2006 as Assembly Bill 1670.  AB 1670 was read once and referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. 

Oklahoma

Senate Bill 1851, the Massage Therapy Practice Act, was prefiled by Senator Bass on January 26, 2006 and will be formally introduced on February 6, 2006.  The Act creates the State Board of Massage Therapy and establishes the requirements for massage therapy licensure.  Education requirements include at least 500 class hours of instruction at an approved massage therapy school and successful completion of the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or an equivalent examination accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies. 

Pennsylvania

Action is pending on House Bill 1643 in the House Professional Licensure Committee.  The legislation was introduced by Rep. McCall and has more than 65 co-sponsors.  HB 1643 would establish the State Board of Professional Massage Therapists and provide for funds, licensure, disciplinary action and remedies to regulate massage therapists.  The bill text is available at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm

West Virginia

House Bill 4279 was introduced January 30, 2006 to amend and reenact the Massage Therapy Practice Act.  The legislation introduces a grandfathering provision effective immediately upon enactment to discontinue waiver requirements for licensure and require practitioners who were formerly licensed by waiver to meet current requirements in order to practice.  HB 4279 was referred to the Committee on Government Organization on January 30, 2006. 

If you are interested in getting involved with your AMTA State Chapter or would like more information on legislative and regulatory activities in your area, please contact Amy K. Young, Government Relations Program Manager at the AMTA National Office.  Toll free (877) 905-2700 or e-mail ayoung@amtamassage.org.