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March 2007
Alabama
House Bill 232 was introduced by Representative Hall to
provide for the continuance of the Alabama Board of
Massage Therapy until October 1, 2008. HB 232 was read
for the first time and referred to the House Committee
on Boards and Commissions on March 8, 2007. Last
action taken: HB 232 was amended and substituted on
March 21, 2007.
California
Senate Bill 731 was introduced by Senator Oropeza on February 23, 2007. SB 731 would, commencing July 1, 2008, provide for the certification of massage practitioners and massage therapists by the Massage Therapy Organization, which would be a nonprofit organization that meets specified requirements, and would impose certain duties on the organization. The bill would require applicants for certification as massage practitioners or massage therapists to be 18 years of age or older, to meet specified educational criteria, to provide to the organization and update certain information, to provide fingerprints for submission to the Department of Justice for a criminal background check, and to pay fees required by the organization. SB 731 was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules for assignment on February 23, 2007. Last action taken: On March 21, 2007, a hearing on SB 731 was scheduled in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee for April 9, 2007.
Colorado
Senate Bill 193 is an act concerning medical payment
coverage in connection with an automobile insurance
policy issued in Colorado. The bill requires medical
payment coverage of at least twenty-five thousand
dollars per person in any one accident for the payment
of all medically necessary and accident-related health
care expenses. Payment shall be made to a first
responder, licensed or certified hospital, licensed
health care provider, mental health care provider,
speech therapist or massage therapist. SB 193 was
introduced on February 16, 2007. The Senate Committee
on Local Government amended SB 193 and referred the bill
to the Appropriations Committee on February 22, 2007.
SB 193 was amended and substituted on February 22, 2007.
Last action taken: On March 23, 2007, the Senate
Appropriations Committee postponed action on SB 193
indefinitely.
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.
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. The General Law Committee
amended and substituted SB 140 on March 2, 2007.
The General Law Committee issued a joint favorable
report on SB 140 March 6, 2007. The General Law
Committee recommended passage of SB 140 on March 15,
2007. Last action taken: SB 140 was placed on the
Senate calendar on March 15, 2007.
Florida
Senate Resolution 2982 was filed on March 23, 2007. SR
2982 recognizes April 24-24, 2007 as “Massage Therapy
Awareness Days.”
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. Senator Delph
was added as a co-author of SB 320 on January 23, 2007.
A hearing on SB 320 was scheduled for February 21, 2007
in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.
The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee
amended and recommended passage of SB 320 on February
21, 2007. Senator Errington was added as
co-author on February 22, 2007. Sen. Miller’s amendment
to SB 320 passed the Senate on February 26, 2007. A
fiscal impact statement was prepared for SB 320 on
February 27, 2007. SB 320 was referred to the
House Committee on Public Health. A hearing was
scheduled for March 26, 2007. Last action taken: The
House Committee on Public Health amended and recommended
passage of SB 320 on March 29, 2007. To view SB 320,
please visit
http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2007/ES/ES0320.1.html.
Iowa
House File 401 was introduced on February 15, 2007 by
the House Committee on Human Resources. HF 401 renames
health-related examining boards, including the board of
massage therapy examiners, as licensing boards. SF 74
was substituted for HF 401 on February 21, 2007. SF 74
was adopted and sent to the Governor on March 7, 2007.
Last action taken: Governor Vilsack signed SF 74 on
March 9, 2007.
Georgia
The
Georgia Board of Massage Therapy is currently 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/.
House Bill 448 was introduced by Delegates Gilchrist,
Hixson, Ivey, and Kaiser on February 5, 2007. HB 448
alters the definition of “taxable services” under the
sales and use tax to impose the tax on certain services,
including massage services. HB 448 was referred to the
House Ways and Means Committee on February 5, 2007.
Last action taken: A hearing on HB 448 was scheduled for
March 14, 2007.
House Bill 735 was introduced on February 8, 2007 to
create the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy
Examiners. To view the bill, please visit
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/hb/hb0735f.pdf.
HB 735 was assigned to the House Health and Government
Operations Committee on February 8, 2007. The
House Health and Government Operations Committee
scheduled a hearing on HB 735 for February 21, 2007.
Last action taken: A fiscal note for HB 735 was released
on February 19, 2007.
Senate Bill 993 was
cross-filed with HB 735. SB 993 was introduced on March
2, 2007 by Senators Klausmeier and Hooper. SB 993
creates the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners in
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; providing
for the composition, appointment, terms, and expenses of
the Board members; establishing the powers and duties of
the Board; authorizing the Board to appoint and
establish the powers and duties of a Board executive
director; authorizing the Board to set specified fees;
requiring specified fees collected by the Board to be
sent to the Comptroller; etc. SB 993 was assigned to
the Senate Rules Committee on March 2, 2007. SB 993 was
referred to the Education, Health and Environmental
Affairs Committee on March 8, 2007. Last action
taken: A hearing on SB 993 was scheduled for March 27,
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 1273 was introduced on February 22, 2007. HB
1273 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. The Senate companion
bill, SB 1144, was also introduced on February 22,
2007. HB 1273 was referred to the House Committee on
Public Safety and Civil Justice on February 22, 2007.
On March 15, 2007, HB 1273 was referred by the Chair
of the Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee to the
Subcommittee on Crime Victims. HB 1273 was recommended
for passage as amended on March 16, 2007. The
bill was returned to the House Public Safety and Civil
Justice Committee. The Committee recommended passage of
HB 1273 on March 23, 2007. The bill was re-referred to
the Finance Committee on March 23, 2007. Last action
taken: HB 1273 was referred to the Public Safety Finance
Division on March 23, 2007.
Senate Bill 1481 was introduced on March 5, 2007 by
Senators Michel, Senjem, Murphy, Scheid, and Higgins.
SB 1481 is an act relating to crimes; providing
testimonial confidentiality for certain sexual assault
counselors; eliminating the "mistake of age" defense for
certain criminal sexual assault offenders; enhancing
penalties for certain nonconsensual sexual contact
offenses committed by professionals engaged in massage
or bodywork. Last action taken: SB 1481 was
referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 5,
2007.
House Bill 1633 was introduced on March 5, 2007. HB
1633 allows persons not licensed to practice veterinary
medicine in Minnesota to perform animal husbandry
activities including animal chiropractic and massage.
HB 1633 was referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies
and Veterans Affairs Committee on March 5, 2007.
The Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs
Committee recommended passage of HB 1633 as amended on
March 24, 2007. Last action taken: HB 1633 was on
its second reading in the House on March 24, 2007.
Mississippi
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.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services
recommended passage of HB 923 on January 30, 2007.
HB 923 passed and was engrossed in the House on
February 6, 2007. HB 923 was adopted and sent to
the Governor on March 15, 2007. Last action taken:
HB 923 was approved by Governor Barbour on March 15,
2007.
Senate Bill 3157 was introduced on February 12, 2007 by
Senators Gordon, Little, Gollott, Kirby, Moffatt and
Thames. SB 3157 makes an appropriation of special funds
for the purposes of defraying the expenses of the
Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy for fiscal
year 2008. SB 3157 was referred to the Senate
Appropriations Committee on February 12, 2007.
SB 3157 was engrossed on February 16, 2007. SB
3157 was adopted and sent to the Governor on March 22,
2007. Last action taken: SB 3157 was approved by
Governor Barbour on March 22, 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. The Senate Committee on
Business and Financial Institutions voted on and passed
SB 2117 on January 31, 2007. SB 2117 passed the
Senate and was sent to the Governor on February 27,
2007. Last action taken: SB 2117 was approved by
Governor Barbour on March 8, 2007.
Missouri
Senate Bill 666 was introduced on March 1, 2007 by
Senator Scott. This act allows certain licensed
professionals to renew a license expiring while they are
serving in the military, within 60 days from completing
their service. The professionals included are:
interpreters, clinical perfusionists, dietitians,
massage therapists, interior designers, acupuncturists,
occupational therapists, occupational therapy
assistants, tattoists, body piercers, and branders.
Senate read SB 666 on March 1, 2007. SB 666 was
referred to the Senate Financial and Governmental
Organizations and Elections Committee on March 5, 2007.
A hearing was held on March 12, 2007. The Senate
Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections
Committee voted to pass SB 666 on March 12, 2007. SB
666 passed the Senate on March 29, 2007. Last action
taken: SB 666 was on its first reading in the House on
March 29, 2007.
Nevada
Senate Bill 360 was introduced on March 19, 2007 by
Representative Schneider. SB 360 enacts provisions
relating to complementary integrative medicine. SB 360
allows unlicensed complementary integrative health care
providers to perform neuromuscular integration by using
manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. SB 360
was referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor on
March 19, 2007. Last action taken: A hearing on SB
360 was held on March 28, 2007 in the Senate Commerce
and Labor Committee.
Senate Bill 432 was introduced on March 19, 2007 by
Representative Schneider. SB 432 enacts provisions
relating to complementary integrative medicine. To view
the bill, please visit
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/Bills/SB/SB432.pdf.
SB 432 was referred to the Committee on Commerce and
Labor on March 19, 2007. Last action taken: A
hearing on SB 432 was scheduled for March 28, 2007 in
the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.
New Hampshire
House Bill 908 was introduced on January 31, 2007 by
Representative Baroody. HB 908 establishes the board of
massage therapists for the licensure and regulation of
persons engaged in the practice of massage therapy, and
the registration of somatic and bodywork practitioners.
This bill also repeals the current licensure and
regulation of massage therapists under RSA 328-B and
establishes transition provisions. HB 908 was referred
to the House Committee on Executive Departments and
Administration. A hearing on HB 908 has been scheduled
for March 20, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. Last action taken:
HB 908 was retained in the House Committee on
Executive Departments and Administration on March 20,
2007.
New Jersey
Senate Bill 2536 was introduced on February 8, 2007 by
Senator Gill. SB 2536 revises the laws for the
regulation of massage, bodywork and somatic therapists.
The bill provides for the licensure of massage, bodywork
and somatic therapists. Last action taken: SB 2536
was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee on
February 8, 2007.
Assembly Bill 4104 was introduced by Assemblyman Kean on
March 12, 2007. HB 4104 would remove sales tax on
charges for massage, bodywork and somatic services.
Last action taken:
HB 4104 was referred to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee on March 12, 2007.
New Mexico
House Bill 847 was introduced by Representative Miera on
February 2, 2007. HB 847 exempts practitioners of
certain healing modalities from the massage therapy
practice act. HB 847 was referred to the House Health
and Government Affairs Committee on February 2, 2007. A
fiscal impact report was submitted for HB 847 on
February 9, 2007. The House Health and
Government Affairs Committee passed HB 847 on February
20, 2007. The bill was referred to the House Business
and Industry Committee. The House Business and Industry
Committee recommended passage of HB 847 on March 1,
2007. The bill was referred to the House Public Affairs
Committee. The House Public Affairs Committee
recommended passage of HB 847 on March 9, 2007. The
bill was referred to the Corporations and Transportation
Committee on March 9, 2007. The Corporations and
Transportation Committee recommended passage of HB 847
on March 14, 2007. Last action taken: HB 847 passed
both chambers of the New Mexico Legislature.
North Carolina
Senate Bill 1314 was introduced on March 26, 2007 by
Senator Cowell. SB 1314 amends the laws under the North
Carolina massage and bodywork therapy practice act to
expand the existing laws regulating massage and bodywork
therapy schools; to authorize the board to establish
fees for licensing massage and bodywork therapy schools;
to allow the department of justice to conduct criminal
history record checks from state and national
repositories of criminal history of applicants for
licensure to practice massage and bodywork therapy; and
to amend the existing laws regarding adult
entertainment. To view the bill, please visit
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1314v1.html.
Last action taken: SB 1314 was referred to the Senate
Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship Committee
on March 26, 2007.
Senate Bill 1080, the Naturopathic Physician Licensing
Act, was introduced on March 22, 2007. The bill defines
naturopathic physical medicine as the manual use of
massage, stretching, or resistance. Last action
taken: SB 1080 was referred to the Senate Commerce,
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on March
22, 2007.
The
House companion to SB 1080, House Bill 969, was
introduced on March 22, 2007. The bill defines
naturopathic physical medicine as the manual use of
massage, stretching, or resistance. Last action
taken: HB 969 was referred to the House Committee on
Health on March 22, 2007.
Rhode Island
House Bill 5950 was introduced on March 1, 2007 by
Representatives Handy, Ajello, Dennigan, and Almeida.
HB 5950 would delete the need for a criminal background
check to apply for a massage license and would no longer
disqualify a person from a massage license if convicted
of a sexual offense. This act would take effect upon
passage. Last action taken: HB 5950 was referred to
the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee on
March 1, 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. SB 70 was read
in the House and referred to House Commerce Committee on
January 30, 2007. The House Commerce Committee
amended and engrossed SB 70 on February 14, 2007. The
House passed the amended version of SB 70 on February
21, 2007. The Senate concurred with the House
amendments and passed SB 70 on February 23, 2007.
Last action taken: Governor Rounds signed SB 70 on March
2, 2007.
Texas
House Bill 1883 was introduced on February 23, 2007 by
Representative Anchia. HB 1883 relates to licensing and
regulation of massage and bodywork therapies; increases
the education requirement to a minimum of 500 hours;
and, provides penalties for non-compliance. Last
action taken: HB 1883 was referred to the House
Government Reform Committee on February 27, 2007.
House Bill 2644 was introduced on March 6, 2007 by
Representative Rose. HB 2644 relates to the
requirements for a massage therapist license. The bill
increases the education requirement to a minimum of 500
hours in a supervised course of instruction provided by
a massage therapy instructor at massage school, licensed
massage school, a state-approved educational
institution, or any combination of instructors or
schools. Last action taken: HB 2644 was referred to
the House Public Health Committee on March 13, 2007.
House Bill 2957 was introduced by Representative Jim
Jackson on March 7, 2007. HB 2957 relates to the
licensing and regulation of massage therapy and provides
penalties for non-compliance. To view the bill, visit
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/pdf/HB02957I.pdf.
Last action taken: HB 2957 was referred to the
Government Reform Committee on March 15, 2007.
Utah
House Bill 419 was introduced on February 8, 2007 by
Representative Clark. HB 419 modifies the
Cosmetologist/Barber, Esthetician, Electrologist and
Nail Technician Licensing Act to provide a stand-alone
barbering license. The bill also removes the 200-hour
training requirement in lymphatic massage for a master
esthetician. HB 419 was referred to the House Business
and Labor Committee and a fiscal note was prepared on
February 12, 2007. The House Business and Labor
Committee amended and reported a favorable
recommendation of HB 419 on February 13, 2007. HB 419
was adopted on March 13, 2007. Last action taken:
Governor Huntsman signed HB 419 on March 13, 2007.
Washington
The
Senate companion bill to HB 1158, Senate Bill 5403, was
introduced on January 18, 2007. SB 5403 is a bill to
certify animal massage practitioners. The bill 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. SB 5403 was passed
to the Senate Rules Committee for second reading on
January 30, 2007. Senator Rasmussen offered two
amendments to SB 5403 on March 11, 2007. SB 5403 was
placed on second reading in the Senate Rules Committee.
SB 5403 was engrossed in the Senate on March 13,
2007. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Committee prepared a report on SB 5403 on March 21,
2007. A fiscal note on SB 5403 was released on
March 27, 2007. Last action taken: A public hearing
and executive action on SB 5403 was scheduled in the
House Appropriations Committee for March 29, 2007.
Senate Bill 5597
concerning contracts with chiropractors was introduced
on January 25, 2007. SB 5597 was referred to the Senate
Committee on Health and Long Term Care on January 25,
2007. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)
released a fiscal note on February 20, 2007. According
to HCA, SB 5597 directs contractors to pay for any
services provided by chiropractors’ employees. This
expands the number of people who can provide services to
PEBB and BH, and is expected to increase utilization.
HCA assumes contracting with a chiropractor for
chiropractic services may now be expanded to include
delegated services. HCA believes the delegation of
services could include such services as dieticians and
massage therapists. The Senate Committee on Health and
Long Term Care offered a substitute for SB 5597 and
passed the substitute on February 23, 2007. SB 5597 was
referred to the Ways and Means Committee on February 23,
2007. A hearing on SB 5597 was scheduled for February
28, 2007 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
A fiscal note was prepared for SB 5597 was prepared by
the Office of Financial Management on March 14, 2007.
SB 5597 was referred to the House Committee on
Health Care and Wellness on March 15, 2007. SB
5597 was amended in the House Committee on Health Care
and Wellness on March 22, 2007. The bill was referred
to the House Appropriations Committee on March 23,
2007. Last action taken: A public hearing on SB 5597
was scheduled for March 28, 2007 in the House
Appropriations Committee.
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. HB 1397 was read for the first
time and referred to the House Committee on Health Care
& Wellness on January 18, 2007. The Washington
State House of Representatives Office of Program
Research prepared a bill analysis of HB 1397 for the
Health Care & Wellness Committee on February 13, 2007.
HB 1397 was amended and substituted on February 15,
2007. A fiscal note was prepared for HB 1397 on
February 27, 2007. First substitute on HB 1397
was substituted on March 7, 2007. HB 1397 was read in
the Senate and referred to the Health and Long-Term Care
Committee on March 8, 2007. A hearing on HB 1397 was
scheduled for March 22, 2007 in the Senate Committee on
Health and Long-Term Care. Executive action was
taken by the Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term
Care on March 26, 2007. Last action taken: The
Senate Committee on Health and Long-Term Care
recommended passage of HB 1397. The bill was referred
to the Rules Committee on March 27, 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. The House Committee on Local
Government recommended passage of HB 1341 on January 30,
2007. HB 1341 passed the House on February 23, 2007. Executive action was taken by the Senate Committee
on Health and Long-Term Care on March 26, 2007. Last
action taken: The Senate Committee on Health and
Long-Term Care recommended passage of HB 1341. The bill
was referred to the Rules Committee on March 27, 2007.
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®
