Delaware House Bill 35 has been introduced in the state legislature as a proposal to require massage establishment licensing in the state. If the bill passes in its current form, massage businesses would be required to hold a separate massage establishment license in addition to a general business license, and in addition to individual licensure for the therapists working in the business.
ABMP has submitted formal written opposition to HB 35 to the bill sponsors. The bill is an attempt to address illegal activities such human trafficking, but will have little impact on those activities and will only serve to burden legitimate practitioners. We are urging the legislature to strengthen the state's criminal code to address human trafficking, rather than attempting to address the problem through the professional massage therapy licensing statute. Click here to read ABMP's formal opposition to HB 35.
We urge you to call your legislators and oppose HB 35. You can find their contact information here: https://legis.delaware.gov/. Click on House or Senate to find your Representative or Senator.
We will keep our Delaware members apprised of the status of HB 35.