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February 2008
Arizona
Senate Bill 1006 was introduced January 14, 2008 by
Senator Waring and referred to the Senate Government
Committee. SB 1006 relates to professional licensure
and will require 25 hours of continuing education for
massage therapy licensure every 2 years. The Government
Committee amended, recommended passage and referred SB
1006 to the Senate Rules Committee on January 14, 2008.
After amendment and passage from the Rules Committee, SB
1006 passed second reading on January 15, 2008. After
further amendment, SB 1006 passed third reading on
February 25, 2008 and was transmitted to the House for
consideration. Last action taken: SB 1006 passed
the Senate and was transmitted to the House for
consideration on February 25, 2008.
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.
On March 21, 2007, a hearing on SB 731 was scheduled in
the Senate Business, Professions and Economic
Development Committee for April 9, 2007. SB 731 was
amended in the Senate and re-referred to the Senate
Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee
on April 16, 2007. SB 731 was amended and re-referred to
the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and
Economic Development on April 19, 2007. SB 731 was
amended and re-referred to the Committee on Public
Safety on April 26, 2007. SB 731 was amended and
substituted on May 8, 2007. The Committee on
Appropriations recommended SB 731 be placed on second
reading on May 15, 2007. SB 731 was read for a second
time and placed on third reading on May 16, 2007. SB 731
was read for the third time and passed the Senate on May
31, 2007. SB 731 was referred to the Assembly Business
and Professions Committee on June 7, 2007. A hearing on
SB 731 has been scheduled for July 3, 2007. SB 731 was
amended on June 25, 2007. SB 731 was heard in the
Assembly Business and Professions Committee and was
passed out of Committee on July 3, 2007. SB 731 was
amended in Assembly on July 9, 2007. To view the amended
bill, please visit
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_0701-0750/sb_731_bill_20070709_amended_asm_v93.pdf
. The Assembly Committee on Appropriations issued a
report on SB 731 on July 17, 2007. Last action taken:
A hearing on SB 731 was scheduled for August 29, 2007 in
the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Georgia
House Bil 1055 was introduced by Representatives
Williams, Dickson, Tumlin and Forster on January 31,
2008. HB 1055 makes changes to several regulated
professions. Among these changes, HB 1055 changes the
provisions relating to licensure by endorsement for
massage therapists and repeals certain provisions
relating to licensure by reciprocity for massage
therapists. HB 1055 was read a second time and referred
to the House Committee on Regulated Industries on
February 2, 2008. The Committee amended and reported
favorably on HB 1055 on February 8, 2008. HB 1055 was
amended and passed by the House on February 14, 2008.
HB 1055 was received by the Senate and referred to the
Senate Government Oversight Committee on February 19,
2008. Last action taken: HB 1055 was received by the
Senate and referred to the Senate Government Oversight
Committee on February 19, 2008.
Hawaii
Senate Bill 3012 was introduced by Senator Hanabusa on
January 22, 2008. SB 3013 requires that in determining
motor vehicle insurance policy personal injury
protection benefits, there shall be imposed the same
limitations on the number of visits, charge per visit,
and combined total visits for therapeutic massage
treatments as are imposed on naturopathic, chiropractic,
and acupuncture treatments. SB 3012 was referred to the
Senate Health Committee and the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing on
January 25, 2008. The Senate Health Committee held a
public hearing on SB 3012 on February 13, 2008. The
Senate Health Committee recommended SB 3012 be passed
with amendment on February 14, 2008. The Senate adopted
the amendments, passed second reading and referred SB
3012 to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection and Affordable Housing on February 15, 2008.
Last action taken: The Senate adopted the
amendments, passed second reading and referred SB 3012
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection
and Affordable Housing on February 15, 2008.
House Bill 3090 was introduced by Representatives Say on
January 23, 2007. HB 3090 requires that in determining
motor vehicle insurance policy personal injury
protection benefits, there shall be imposed the same
limitations on the number of visits, charge per visit,
and combined total visits for therapeutic massage
treatments as are imposed on naturopathic, chiropractic,
and acupuncture treatments. HB 3090 was referred to the
House Health Committee and the House Consumer Protection
& Commerce Committee on January 25, 2008. Last action
taken: HB 3090 was referred to the House Health
Committee and the House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Committee on January 25, 2008.
Kansas
Senate Bill 572 was introduced February 6, 2008 by the
Committee on Ways and Means. SB 572 would
establish the board for
licensure and regulation of the massage therapists. SB
572 was referred to the Senate Committee on Public
Health and Welfare on February 7, 2008. To view the
bill, please visit
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/572.pdf .
Last action taken: SB 572 was referred to the Senate
Committee on Public Health and Welfare on February 7,
2008.
Maryland
House Bill 1563 was introduced on February 26, 2008 by
Delegate Hubbard and assigned to the House Rules and
Executive Nominations Committee. HB 1563 amends the
licensure requirements for massage therapists and amends
the State Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy
Examiners requirements. To view the bill, please visit
http://mlis.state.md.us/2008RS/bills/hb/hb1563f.pdf
. Last action taken: HB 1563 was assigned to the
House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee on
February 26, 2008.
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.
Michigan
Senate Bill 788 was introduced on September 19, 2007 by
Senator Jacobs, Richardville and Gleason to provide for
the licensure of massage therapists. To view the bill,
please visit
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/Senate/pdf/2007-SIB-0788.pdf.
Last action taken: SB 788 was referred to the Senate
Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform
on September 19, 2007.
House Bill 5651 was introduced on January 22, 2008 by
Representative Paul Cordino to provide for the licensure
of massage therapists. HB 5651 was referred to the
House Committee on Regulatory Reform. To view the bill,
please visit
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/pdf/2008-HIB-5651.pdf
. Last action taken: HB 5651 was introduced on
January 22, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on
Regulatory Reform.
House Bill 5408 was introduced on October 31, 2007 by
Representative Coulouris. Among other actions, HB 5408
repeals the tax on massage. After several amendments
and substitutions in the House and Senate, HB 5408 was
agreed upon and enrolled on December 1, 2007. Governor
Granholm approved the bill on December 4, 2007. To view
the bill, please visit
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/publicact/pdf/2007-PA-0145.pdf
Last action taken: Governor Granholm approved HB 5408
on December 4, 2007.
Mississippi
House Bill 151 was introduced on January 22, 2008 by
Representative Warren to reenact the Mississippi Massage
Therapy Act to July 1, 2011. To view the bill, please
visit
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/pdf/HB/0100-0199/HB0151IN.pdf
. HB 151 was referred to the House Public Health and
Human Services Committee. Hb 151 died in committee on
February 19, 2008. Last action taken: HB 151 died in
committee on February 19, 2008.
House Bill 426 was introduced on January 29, 2008 by
Representative Holland and referred to the House Public
Health and Human Services Committee. HB 426 reenacts
and amends the Mississippi Massage Therapy Act to
provide for licensure and removes the repealer. To view
the bill, please visit
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/html/HB/0400-0499/HB0426PS.htm.
The House Public Health and Human Services Committee
reported to amend and pass HB 426 on February 7, 2008.
HB 426 was amended and passed the House on February 11,
2008. The Senate received and referred HB 426 to the
Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare on
February 12, 2008. Last action taken: HB 426 was
received by the Senate and referred to the Senate
Committee on Public Health and Welfare on February 12,
2008.
Senate Bill 2461 was introduced on January 29, 2008 by
Senator Bryan and referred to the Senate Public Health
and Welfare Committee. SB 2461 reenacts and amends the
Mississippi Massage Therapy Act to provide for licensure
and removes the repealer. To view the bill, please
visit
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2008/pdf/SB/2400-2499/SB2461IN.pdf
. Last action taken: SB 2462 died in committee on
February 19, 2008.
New Jersey
Assembly Bill 4455 was introduced on November 8, 2007 by
Assemblymen Caraballo, Biondi and Prieto to provide for
licensure of massage and bodywork therapists and
registration of the employers. A4455 was referred to
the Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent
Authorities Committee on November 8, 2007. The
committee scheduled a hearing for November 19, 2007.
The bill was amended and reported by the committee.
Assembly floor amendments were offered and passed. A4455
was passed by the Assembly by a 73-4 vote, with 2 no
votes, on January 7, 2008. A4455 was adopted by the
Senate as a substitute to S2536 on January 7, 2008. To
view the bill, please visit
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/AL07/337_.PDF
Last action taken: Signed by Governor Corzine January
14, 2008.
Assembly Bill 1683 was introduced on January 8, 2008 by
Assemblywoman McHose and Assemblyman Chuisano and
referred to the Assembly Budget Committee. A1683 shall
impose a seven percent (7%) tax on massage,
bodywork or somatic services, except such services
provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription.
Last action taken: Introduced January 8, 2008 and
referred to the Assembly Budget Committee.
Assembly Bill 1950 was introduced on January 28, 2008 by
Assemblywoman Cruz-Perez to impose a use and sales tax.
A1950 shall impose a seven percent (7%) tax on massage,
bodywork or somatic services, except such services
provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription. A1950 was
referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on
January 28, 2008. Last action taken:
Introduced and referred to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee on January 28, 2008.
Senate Bill 1200 was introduced February 21, 2008 by
Senators Bucco and Lance. S1200 shall impose a seven
percent (7%) tax on massage,
bodywork or somatic services, except such services
provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription. S1200 was
referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations
Committee on February 21,
2008. Last action taken: S1200 was referred to
the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on
February 21, 2008.
New York
Assembly Bill 9810 was introduced on January 22, 2008 as
a budget bill and referred to the Assembly Ways and
Means Committee. Among the budget items, A9810 imposes
a special sales tax of four percent (4%) on massage
services provided August 1, 2008 through December 31,
2008. A9810 was amended on resubmitted to the Assembly
Ways and Means Committee on February 21, 2008. Last
action taken: A9810 was amended on resubmitted to the
Assembly Ways and Means Committee on February 21, 2008.
Senate Bill 6810 was introduced on January 22, 2008 as a
budget bill and referred to the Senate Finance
Committee. Among the budget items, SB 6810 imposes a
special sales tax of four percent (4%) on massage
services provided August 1, 2008 through December 31,
2008. SB 6810 was amended and resubmitted to the Senate
Finance Committee on February 21, 2008. Last action
taken: SB 6810 was amended and resubmitted to the Senate
Finance Committee on February 21, 2008.
Rhode Island
House Bill 7816 was introduced on February 26, 2008 by
Representatives Handy, Ajello, Jacquard and Almeida.
The Bill removes the requirement for a criminal
background check for massage therapy licensure and
removes the disqualification for sexual offense
conviction. HB 7816 was referred to the House Health,
Education & Welfare Committee on February 26, 2008.
To
view the bill, please visit
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext08/housetext08/h7816.pdf
. Last action taken: HB 7816 was referred to the
House Health, Education & Welfare Committee on February
26, 2008.
Ohio
House Bill 125 was introduced on March 22, 2007 by
Representative Huffman to establish uniform contract
provisions between health care providers, including
massage therapists, and third-party payers. HB 125 was
referred to the House Civil and Commercial Law Committee
on March 28, 2007. A House substitute bill, offered by
the Civil and Commercial Law Committee was accepted on
September 12, 2007 (after the tenth hearing on the bill)
and another Committee substitute was accepted on October
3, 2007 (after the eleventh hearing on the bill). HB
125 was reported out as amended of the Civil and
Commercial Law Committee on October 9, 2007. HB 125
passed the House by a vole of 91-5 on October 9, 2007.
HB 125 was introduced into the senate on October 10,
2007 and referred to the Judiciary-Civil Justice
Committee. The Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice Committee
provided a substitute bill on February 21, 2008. Last
action taken: The Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice
Committee provided a substitute bill on February 21,
2008.
Senate Bill 252 was introduced on November 8, 2007 by
Senator Coughlin to amend local and municipal rules and
requirements. Among other topics, SB 252 requires
unincorporated township trustee boards that regulate
massage establishments within their township to
deny/revoke permits for any of the following reasons;
(i) Falsification of any of the information required for
the application or failure to fully complete the
application; (ii) Failure to cooperate with any required
health or safety inspection; (iii) Any one of the
persons named on the application is under the age of
eighteen; (iv) Any one of the persons named on the
application has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to
any violation of Chapter 2907. of the Revised Code, or
any violation of any municipal ordinance or township
resolution that is substantially equivalent to any
offense contained in Chapter 2907. of the Revised Code,
within five years preceding the application; (v) Any
massager employed at the licensed massage establishment
has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation
of division (D) of section 503.42 of the Revised Code.
Last action taken: Referred to Judiciary-Civil
Justice Committee on November 13, 2007.
House Bill 104 was introduced March 13, 2007. The bill
requires massage therapists, among other healthcare
professionals, to undergo a criminal background check
prior to receiving an initial license. This bill also
modifies procedures for reinstatement from suspension
due to failure to pay renewal fees or failure to renew
license. A substitute bill was reported on by the
Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee on November
15, 2007. The substitute bill passed the Senate
30-2 on December 11, 2007. The House concurred with
Senate amendments 86-3 on December 12, 2007. Last
action taken: Governor Strickland approved HB 104 on
December 21, 2007.
Oklahoma
House Bill 3199 was prefiled for introduction by
Representative Denny on January 21, 2008 to be
introduced on February 4, 2008. HB 3199 establishes
licensure and licensure requirements for massage
therapists. HB 3199 was referred to the House Economic
Development and Financial Services’ Subcommittee on
Industry and Labor on February 1, 2008. The
subcommittee scheduled a hearing on HB 3199 on February
12, 2008. Last action taken: HB 3199 was scheduled
for hearing by the House Economic Development and
Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Industry and Labor
on February 12, 2008.
Tennessee
Senate Bill 2496 was introduced on January 8, 2008 by
Senator Harper. SB 2496 is a sunset action reauthorizing
the Massage Licensure Board until June 30, 2011. SB
2496 passed second consideration on January 10, 2008 and
referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
Last action taken: Referred to the Senate Government
Operations Committee on January 10, 2008.
House Bill 2703 was introduced on January 8, 2008 by
Representative Kernell. HB 2703 is a sunset action
reauthorizing the Massage Licensure Board until June 30,
2011. HB 2703 passed second consideration on January
17, 2008 and referred to the House Government Operations
Committee. The House Government Operations Committee
recommended HB 2703 be passed and referred to the House
Calendar and Rules Committee on February 6, 2008. Last
action taken: Referred to the Calendar and Rules
Committee on February 6, 2008.
Senate Bill 3627 was introduced on January 17, 2008 by
Senator Haynes. SB 3627 changes the requirement for
Board members to have at least five (5) years experience
as a massage therapist, changes the term of appointment
to five (5) years and authorizes the Board to establish
application fees for continuing education courses
submitted for approval. SB 3627 passed second
consideration on January 23, 2008 and referred to the
Senate Committee on General Welfare, Health & Human
Resources. Last action taken: Referred to Senate
Committee on General Welfare, Health & Human Resources
on January 23, 2008.
House Bill 3672 was introduced on January 30, 2008 by
Representative Shepard. HB 3672 changes the requirement
for Board members to have at least five (5) years
experience as a massage therapist, changes the term of
appointment to five (5) years and authorizes the Board
to establish application fees for continuing education
courses submitted for approval HB 3672 was referred to
the House Health and Human Resources Committee and the
House Government Operations Committee on January 31,
2008. The House Health and Human Resources Committee
referred HB 3672 to the Public Health and Family
Assistance Subcommittee on February 6, 2008. The Public
Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee recommended HB
3672 be passed on February 13, 2008. The House Health
and Human Resources Committee recommended HB 3672 be
passed and referred to the House Government Operations
Committee on February 19, 2008. The House Government
Operations Committee has placed HB 3672 on the calendar
to be considered on March 5, 2008. Last action
taken: The House Government Operations Committee has
placed HB 3672 on the calendar to be considered on March
5, 2008.
Texas
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. HB 2644 was referred to the House Public
Health Committee on March 13, 2007. A fiscal
note was issued on April 9, 2007 which shows no
significant fiscal implication to the state to be
anticipated with enactment of HB 2644. A public hearing
was scheduled for April 11, 2007 in the House Public
Health Committee. HB 2644 was left pending in the
Public Health Committee on April 11, 2007. HB 2644 was
reported favorably without amendments out of the Public
Health Committee on April 19, 2007. The Public Health
Committee report on HB 2644 was printed and distributed
on April 28, 2007. HB 2644 passed the House on
May 11, 2007. HB 2644 was engrossed on May 13, 2007 and
received in the Senate on May 14, 2007. HB 2644 was
amended and passed the Senate on May 22, 2007.
HB 2644 was signed in the House and Senate on May 28,
2007. Last action taken: HB 2644 was signed into law
by Governor Perry on June 15, 2007. The law took effect
on September 1, 2007. For more information on the new
law, please visit
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/massage/default.shtm.
Washington
House Bill 2859 was introduced on January 17, 2008 by
Represenatives Williams, Hinkle, Moeller and Green and
referred to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee.
HB 2859 amends requirements for licensure to include
continuing education requirements biennially. The House
Health Care & Wellness Committee has scheduled a public
hearing for HB 2859 at 10:00 A.M. on January 31, 2008.
The House Health Care & Wellness Committee provided a
substitute and passed the same on February 3, 2008. HB
2859 was passed to the Rules Committee for second
reading on February 5, 2008. The Committee recommended
adoption with amendment on February 14, 2008. A
substitute bill was offered, accepted and HB 2859 passed
the third reading on February 14, 2008. HB 2859 was
received by the Senate, passed first reading and
referred to the Senate Health and Long-Term Care
Committee on February 16, 2008. The Committee held a
public hearing on HB 2859 on February 27, 2008. HB 2859
is scheduled for an executive session in the Committee
on February 28, 2008. To view this bill, please visit
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2859-S.pdf
. Last action taken: HB 2859 is scheduled for an
executive session in the Committee on February 28, 2008.
House Bill 2883 was introduced by Representatives Green,
Roberts and Morrell on January 17, 2008 and referred to
the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. HB 2883
authorizes the Secretary of Health to discipline, deny
license to and use criminal background checks to
determine fitness of health care providers, including
massage therapists. The House Health Care & Wellness
Committee has scheduled a public hearing for HB 2883 at
1:30 P.M. on January 28, 2007. To view this bill,
please visit
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2883.pdf
. Last action taken: Committee hearing scheduled
on January 28, 2008 at 1:30 P.M.
Senate Bill 6458 was introduced by
Senators Keiser,
Shin,
Kohl-Welles and referred to the Senate
Health & Long-Term Care Committee. SB 6458 authorizes
the Secretary of Health to discipline, deny license to
and use criminal background checks to determine fitness
of health care providers, including massage therapists.
The House Health Care & Wellness Committee has scheduled
a public hearing for SB 6458 at 1:30 P.M. on January 28,
2007 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on
Health & Long-Term Care on January 28, 2008 at 1:30 PM.
SB 6458 passed Committee on January 31, 2008 and was
referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The
Committee held a public hearing on SB 6458 on February
11, 2008. The Committee provided a substitute bill and
passed SB 6458. SB 6458 passed third reading on
February 15, 2008. SB 6458 was received by the House,
passed first reading and referred to the House Health
Care and Wellness Committee on February 19, 2008.
Last action taken: SB 6458 was received by the House,
passed first reading and referred to the House Health
Care and Wellness Committee on February 19, 2008.
West Virginia
House Bill 4201 was introduced By Delegates Brown, Miley,
Burdiss, Talbott, Overington and Sobonya on January 25,
2008. The purpose of this
bill is to amend and reauthorize the Massage Therapy
Licensure Board to promulgate a legislative rule
relating to General Provisions. HB 4201 was referred to
the Committee on Government Organization and to be
subsequently sent to the Judiciary Committee. HB 4201
was passed by the Committee on Government Organization
and referred to the Judiciary Committee on February 1,
2008. Last action taken:
HB 4201 was passed by the
Committee on Government Organization and referred to the
Judiciary Committee on February 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 425 was introduced by Senators Minard,
Fanning, Prezioso, Unger, Boley and Facemyer on January
25, 2008. The purpose of this
bill is to amend and reauthorize the Massage Therapy
Licensure Board to promulgate a legislative rule
relating to General Provisions. SB 425 was referred to
the Committee on Government Organization and to be
subsequently sent to the Finance Committee then the
Judiciary Committee. The Committee on Government
Organization recommended passage of SB 425 and referred
to the Finance Committee on February 5, 2008. The
Finance Committee recommended passage of SB 425 and
referred to the Judiciary Committee on February 12,
2008. Last action taken:
The Finance Committee
recommended passage of SB 425 and referred to the
Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2008.
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 Joseph Roth, Government Relations
Program Manager at the AMTA National Office. Toll free
(877) 905-2700 or e-mail
jroth@amtamassage.org.
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American Massage Therapy Association®
