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January 2007
Arizona
House Bill 2115 was introduced on January 9, 2007 by
Representatives Stump, Murphy, Allen, Mason and Rios.
The bill amends Arizona revised statutes relating to
disciplinary action and continuing education
requirements for professions including massage therapy.
The House Committee on Health voted and recommended
passage of HB 2115 on January 16, 2007. The full
House adopted an amendment to HB 2115 on January 24,
2007. Last action taken: HB 2115 passed the House
and was sent to the Senate on January 30, 2007.
Arkansas
Senate Bill 51 was introduced on January 11, 2007 by the
Joint Budget Committee. The bill makes an appropriation
for personal services and operating expenses for the
Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy for the biennial
period ending June 30, 2009. Last action taken: SB
51 was referred to the Joint Budget Committee on January
11, 2007.
House Bill 1269 was introduced on January 22, 2007 by
Representative Garner. HB 1269 is an act to transfer
various state agencies to promote efficiency in state
government. The bill abolishes the Arkansas State Board
of Acupuncture and Related Techniques and transfers its
duties and powers to the Arkansas State Board of Massage
Therapy. HB 1269 was referred to the House Committee on
State Agencies and Governmental Affairs on January 22,
2007. Last action taken: The House Committee on
State Agencies and Governmental Affairs held a hearing
on HB 1269 on January 31, 2007.
Connecticut
Senate Bill 140 was introduced on January 10, 2007 by
Senator Duff. The bill amends chapter 384a of general
statutes to clarify prohibitions on use of the title
“massage therapist” and establishes guidelines for
massage therapy advertising. SB 140 was referred to the
Senate Committee on Public Health on January 10, 2007.
Last action taken: There was a change in committee
reference for SB 140. The bill was referred to the
Senate Committee on General Law on January 22, 2007.
Illinois
House Bill 152 was introduced by Rep. Saviano on January
19, 2007. HB 152 amends the massage licensing act. The
bill makes a technical change in the Section concerning
the short title. Last action taken: HB 152 was
referred to the House Rules Committee on January 19,
2007.
Indiana
Senator Miller introduced SB 320 on January 11, 2007.
SB 320 establishes
the state board of massage therapy to certify massage
therapists. The bill specifies certification
requirements and establishes guidelines for the
certification by endorsement of a massage therapist who
holds a certification or license in another state or
country. SB 320 also establishes penalties for the
unauthorized use of the title massage therapist. SB 320
was referred to the Senate Committee on Health and
Provider Services on January 11, 2007. Last action
taken: Senator Delph was added as a co-author of SB 320
on January 23, 2007.
A
bill to license massage therapy, Senate Bill 469, was
introduced on January 11, 2007 by Sen. Landske. SB 469
establishes the state board of massage therapy and
specifies licensure requirements. SB 469 creates
guidelines for licensing by endorsement of a
massage therapist who holds a license in another state
or country. The bill also establishes penalties for the
unauthorized practice of massage therapy or
advertising massage therapy services. To view a copy of
the bill, please visit
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2007/IN/IN0469.1.html.
Last action taken: SB 469 was referred to the
Committee on Health and Provider Services on January 11,
2007.
Georgia
The
Georgia Board of Massage Therapy is currently developing
rules and accepting applications for licensure.
Applications as well as proposed rule notices are
available on the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy
website at
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/massage/.
Nebraska
Legislative Bill 104 was introduced on January 5, 2007
by Erdman, Flood, Friend and Pedersen. The bill revises
Nebraska statutes to change the age of majority from
nineteen to eighteen years, including the eligibility
age for massage therapy licensure. Last action
taken: The bill was referred to the Committee on
Judiciary on January 8, 2007.
Massachusetts
Senate Bill 2258 passed both chambers in the General
Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on June 29,
2006 to become Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2006. For
updates on the law, please visit the Massachusetts Board
of Registration of Massage Therapy website at
http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt/index.htm.
Minnesota
House Bill 239 was introduced on January 22, 2007 by
Representative Lesch. HB 239 is an act relating to
crimes. The bill provides sexual assault counselor
testimonial confidentiality; eliminates mistake of age
defense for certain sexual assault offenders; and,
enhances penalties for nonconsensual sexual offenses
committed by massage or bodywork professionals. Last
action taken: HB 239 was referred to the House Committee
on Public Safety and Civil Justice on January 22, 2007.
Mississippi
House Bill 332 was introduced on January 3, 2007 by
Representative Howell. HB 332 is an act to amend the
Mississippi Code of 1972, to require the licensing
agencies of certain professions and occupations,
including massage therapy, to suspend the license of
any licensee who defaults on or fails to comply with the
requirements of an educational loan, service conditional
scholarship or loan repayment obligation that has been
granted or guaranteed by any federal, state or local
agency or political subdivision under which the licensee
obtained any of the education necessary to qualify for
the license. HB 332 also provides that the person’s
license shall remain suspended until he or she has made
satisfactory arrangements for repaying the educational
loan or meeting the obligations of the scholarship or
loan repayment program. The bill was referred to the
House Committee on Universities and Colleges and
Appropriations on January 3, 2007. Last action taken:
HB 332 died in the Committee on Universities and
Colleges on January 30, 2007.
Senate Bill 2117 was introduced on January 3, 2007 by
Senator King. SB 2117 provides that a professional
license, including a massage therapy license, issued in
the state of Mississippi to any member of the
Mississippi National Guard or United States Armed Forces
Reserves shall not expire while the member is serving on
federal active duty and shall be extended for 90 days
after his return. SB 2117 was referred to the Senate
Committee on Business and Financial Institutions on
January 3, 2007. Last action taken: The Senate
Committee on Business and Financial Institutions voted
on and passed SB 2117 on January 31, 2007.
Senate Bill 2320 was introduced on January 5, 2007 by
Senators Mettetal, Jackson, King and Nunnelee. SB 2320
amends Section 73-67-23 of the Mississippi Code of 1972
to clarify the examinations which may be approved by the
State Board of Massage Therapy for registration of
professional massage therapists. SB 2320 was referred
to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare on
January 5, 2007. Last action taken: The Committee on
Public Health recommended passage of SB 2320 on January
24, 2007.
Senate Bill 2426 was introduced on January 9, 207 by
Senator Dawkins. The bill requires appointments to
executive agency boards and commissions, including the
state board of massage therapy, be made from the new
Mississippi congressional districts on a phased-in basis
beginning July 1, 2007. SB 2426 was referred to the
Senate Committee on Fees, Salaries and Administration on
January 9, 2007. Last action taken: SB 2426 died in
the Senate Committee on Fees, Salaries and
Administration on January 30, 2007.
Senate Bill 2947 was introduced on January 15, 2007 by
Senator Burton. SB 2947 exempts publicly funded
post-secondary institutions and for-profit colleges and
schools that teach courses in addition to massage
therapy from certain fees and requirements under the
massage therapy licensing act. The House version of
this measure, HB 1377, was introduced by Representative
Holland on January 15, 2007. SB 2947 was referred to
the Senate Committee on Universities and Colleges on
January 15, 2007. Last action taken: SB 2947 died in
the Senate Committee on Universities and Colleges on
January 30, 2007.
House Bill 923 was introduced by Representative
Wells-Smith on January 12, 2007. The bill provides that
the state board of massage therapy may approve and
accept a state accredited examination as evidence of
competency for the purpose of licensure as a massage
therapist. HB 923 was referred to the Committee on
Public Health and Human Services on January 12, 2007.
Last action taken: The Committee on Public
Health and Human Services recommended passage of HB 923
on January 30, 2007.
New Mexico
House Bill 638 was introduced on January 29, 2007 by
Representative Sandoval. The bill provides gross
receipts tax deductions for certain health care
providers, including massage therapists. Last action
taken: HB 638 was referred to the House Business and
Industry Committee for consideration.
New York
Senate Bill 502 was introduced on January 10, 2007 by Senator Maziarz. The bill would require health insurance policies providing coverage for physician services, major medical or similar comprehensive-type coverage to cover the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The bill states that TMJ is treated by a variety of therapies ranging from massage therapy, physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, orthodontic appliances to surgery. Last action taken: On January 3, 2007, SB 502 was referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance. The companion bill to SB 502, AB 2320, was introduced by Assemblyman Jacobs and referred to the House Committee on Insurance on January 16, 2007.
Senate Bill 549 was introduced by Senator Maltese on January 3, 2007. SB 549 authorizes certain care and treatment to injured employees receiving workers’ compensation benefits; relates to massage therapy services. Last action taken: SB 549 was referred to the Senate Committee on Labor on January 3, 2007.
Oklahoma
Senate Bill 1035, the Oklahoma Massage Therapy Practice
Act, was pre-filed on January 19, 2007 by Senator
Paddack. The bill will be introduced on February 5,
2007. To view the legislation, please visit the
AMTA-Oklahoma Chapter website at
http://www.amtaok.org/legislation.htm.
Oregon
Senate Bill 170 was introduced on January 8, 2007. The
bill relates to the state board of massage therapy.
Please visit
http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measpdf/sb0100.dir/sb0170.intro.pdf
to view the bill. Last action taken: SB 170 was
referred to the Senate Health and Human Services
Committee on January 11, 2007.
Senator Johnson introduced Senate Bill 399 on January
15, 2007 at the request of the Reflexology Association
of Oregon. SB 399 exempts the practice of reflexology
from regulation by the state board of massage therapy.
SB 399 was read and referred to the President’s desk on
January 15, 2007. Last action taken: SB 399 was
referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on
January 17, 2007.
South Dakota
Senate Bill 70 was introduced on January 11, 2007 by
Senators Grant, Garnos, and Napoli along with
Representatives Weems, Peters, and Wick. SB 70 is an
act to repeal the regulation of massage therapy. SB 70
was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services
Committee on January 11, 2007. A hearing was
held on January 19, 2007 by the Senate Health and Human
Services Committee. The Senate Health and Human
Services Committee amended SB 70 and passed the amended
version on January 24, 2007. The Senate passed SB 70 as
amended by vote of 25 YEAS to 10 NAYS. To view the
amended version of SB 70, please visit
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/amend/amd70ja.htm.
Last action taken: SB 70 was read in the House and
referred to House Commerce Committee on January 30,
2007.
Washington
House Bill 1158 was introduced on January 11, 2007 by
Rep. Sullivan to certify animal massage practitioners.
Last action taken: HB 1158 was referred to the House
Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on January
11, 2007.
The
Senate companion bill to HB 1158, Senate Bill 5403, was
introduced on January 18, 2007. The companion bill, SB
5403, was referred to the Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Rural Economic Development on January
25, 2007. A public hearing was held on January 25,
2007. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economic
Development offered a substitute bill and recommended
passage of the substitute bill on January 30, 2007.
Last action taken: SB 5403 was passed to Senate Rules
Committee for second reading on January 30, 2007.
House Bill 1341 was introduced by Representatives
Simpson, Curtis, Ericks, and Alexander on January 17,
2007. HB 1341 limits the regulation of the practice of
massage by political subdivisions of the state. HB 1341
was referred to the House Committee on Local Government
on January 17, 2007. A public hearing was held on
January 25, 2007. Last action taken: The House
Committee on Local Government recommended passage of HB
1341 on January 30, 2007.
The
companion bill to HB 1341, Senate Bill 5536, was
introduced by Senators Fairley, Pflug, Weinstein,
Stevens, Hewitt, and Keiser on January 23, 2007.
Last action taken: SB 5536 was referred to the Senate
Health and Long-Term Committee on January 23, 2007.
House Bill 1397 was introduced by Representatives
Campbell, Kenney, Curtis, Cody and Upthegrove on January
18, 2007. HB 1397 revises the definition of massage
therapy to include manipulation or pressure inside the
mouth or oral cavity. Last action taken: HB 1397 was
read for the first time and referred to the House
Committee on Health Care & Wellness on January 18,
2007.
West Virginia
Senate Bill 291 was introduced on January 26, 2007 by
Senators Minard, Fanning, Prezioso, Unger and Boley. SB
291 authorizes the Massage Therapy Licensure Board to
promulgate legislative rule relating to general
provisions. Last action taken: The bill was
referred to the Committee on Government Organizations,
the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Judiciary
on January 26, 2007.
House Bill 2667 is the companion bill to SB 291. HB
2667 was introduced on January 29, 2007 by
Representatives Brown, Miley, Burdiss, Talbott and
Overington. Last action taken: HB 2667 was referred
to the Committee on Government Organization and the
Committee on the Judiciary on January 29, 2007.
Wyoming
House Bill 296 was introduced on January 25, 2007 by
Representatives Zwonitzer, Meyer and Senator Johnson.
HB 296 is an act relating to professions and
occupations; providing for the licensure of
massage therapists as specified; creating a licensing
board; requiring a license for massage therapists as
specified; providing exceptions; providing licensure
requirements as specified; providing definitions;
providing for revocation of the license as specified;
providing a penalty; providing legislative findings; and
providing for an effective date. To view the bill,
please visit
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2007/Introduced/HB0296.pdf.
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. Owens, Government Relations
Program Manager at the AMTA National Office. Toll free
(877) 905-2700 or e-mail
aowens@amtamassage.org.
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American Massage Therapy Association®
