Georgia

Georgia House bill 141 was amended through the process to require that only an establishment that offers massage or bodywork services by a person who is not a massage therapist must post a notice which contains specified information about human trafficking and contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. The notice will have to be 8 ½ inches by 11 inches in size.

Georgia House Bill 141 was recently introduced in the state legislature. If passed, the bill would require that all establishments that offer massage or bodywork services by a massage therapist must post a notice (1) in the establishment’s restroom and (2) near the establishment’s entrance or in another conspicuous location, which contains specified information about human trafficking and contact information for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy has revised rules regarding advertising. Massage therapists in Georgia must now abide by the two rules listed below.

Senate Bill 364, authored by Senator Cecil Staton, would amend the Massage Therapy Practice Act. If passed, the bill would amend the licensing law in three primary ways:

> Review ABMP's letter to the board regarding the proposed rule changes.

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy will host a public hearing on September 5, 2008 at the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31217.

The main feature of the proposed rule amendment is the removal of existing language regarding the Board review of continuing education providers, along with the addition of new language regarding the acceptance of continuing education providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).