AMTA Government Relations Committee
Legislative Briefing

November 2006

Arkansas

House Bill 1007 was pre-filed by Representative Thyer on November 27, 2006.  HB 1007 is an act concerning stipends awarded to members of certain state boards, including the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy.  HB 1007 allows the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy and certain other boards to authorize payment to its members of a stipend not to exceed eighty-five dollars ($85) per meeting, examination, evaluation, or inspection attended or for any day while performing proper business of the board.  Last action taken: HB 1007 is currently not scheduled on any House or Senate agenda.  Action is pending. 

District of Columbia

A resolution was adopted on October 8, 2006 to confirm Beverly Rene McNeil to the D.C. Board of Massage Therapy. 

A resolution was adopted on November 4, 2006 to confirm Angelique Champena Bella to the D.C. Board of Massage Therapy.

Georgia

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy is currently involved in the rulemaking process and applications for licensure are being accepted by the Board.  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/. 

Massachusetts

Senate Bill 2258 states that the board may issue a license to practice as a massage therapist to an applicant who satisfies the following minimum qualifications: (1) he shall have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent; (2) he is 18 years of age or older; (3) he has submitted 2 professional letters of reference, with at least 1 being from an employer or professional in the massage therapy or medical field; (4) he shall be of good moral character as determined by the discretion of the board; (5) he shall have successfully completed a course of study consisting of at least 500 classroom hours or an equivalent number of credit hours of supervised instruction at a licensed massage school; (6) he shall have not been convicted in any jurisdiction of sexually-related crime or crime involving moral turpitude for the 10 years immediately before the date of application; (7) he shall provide proof of professional liability coverage; and (8) he demonstrates such professional competence as may be required by the board’s regulations.  SB 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 Board of Registration of Massage Therapy Website at http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt/index.htm.   

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 House Legislative Analysis Section submitted a summary of HB 5218 to the House Committee on Health Policy on September 1, 2006.  A public hearing for testimony only was held on September 5, 2006 by the Committee on Health Policy.  To view a copy of the bill summary, please visit http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/billanalysis/House/htm/2005-HLA-5218-1.htm.

Pennsylvania

HB 1643 was introduced on June 6, 2005.  The bill would establish the State Board of Professional Massage Therapists and provide for funds, licensure, disciplinary action and remedies to regulate massage therapists.  For a recent update on the licensure effort, please visit the AMTA-Pennsylvania Chapter at http://www.amtapa.org/gov/documents/Oct.2006.pdf. 

South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy is currently accepting and reviewing applications for state licensure.  The Board is planning to send out licenses in November to all those who have applied.  For more information on the state licensure law and/or to download an application, please visit the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Website at http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Massage/index.htm. 

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.