SB 568, a bill introduced in Wisconsin, and its companion bill AB 726, is an attempt by some to reduce “red tape” in regulatory affairs. The bill would combine the boards that oversee massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and athletic trainers. Currently the board of massage therapy in Wisconsin has seven members serving. Four massage therapists, one representative of a for-profit school, one member of a nonprofit school, and one member of the public; they oversee licensing, disciplinary actions, and rule making regarding massage therapy.
SB 568 would create a board to oversee the five professions. The proposed board would include three physical therapists, one physical therapist assistant, one occupational therapist, one athletic trainer, one massage therapist, and one member of the public. This board would oversee all of the licensing, disciplinary actions, and rule-making for all five professions.
ABMP opposes this bill because massage therapists should be regulated by members of their own profession, not by members of other, distinct professions. Click here to read ABMP’s letter to Wisconsin legislators voicing our opposition.
We will keep you updated on the status of SB 568.