Maryland Advocacy Update: SB 492 Advances in Senate

Maryland recently hosted a successful Chapter Lobby Day, bringing together more than 120 participants to learn about the therapeutic benefits of massage, advocate for the profession and rally support for SB 492/HB 975. Thanks to the dedication of Maryland massage therapists, our lobby group, and the AMTA Government Relations Team, SB 492 passed unanimously in the Senate!

Protecting the Profession: Stronger Standards for Massage Advertising

SB 492/HB 975 aims to strengthen oversight of massage advertising by:

• Addressing misleading language
  
  
• Establishing a process for reporting violations
  
  
• Enhancing business identification requirements

These measures will help to clearly distinguish licensed massage therapy professionals from illicit operations—protecting practitioners and reinforcing public trust.

Next Steps in the Legislative Process

The bill has advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee and is now scheduled for a hearing before the House Health Committee on March 25 at 1:00 p.m. (EST). We will continue to keep you informed as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Thank you for your support of the massage therapy profession. As always, we encourage you to contact the AMTA Government Relations Team with any questions.