Senate bill 786, sponsored by Senator Sanborn, was approved by Governor Granholm on January 4, 2010. The law amends how proprietary schools are licensed and regulated in Michigan as previously defined by law. ABMP became involved with this effort a few years ago when we were contacted by several proprietary schools concerned that the Proprietary School Unit (the division authorized to enforce the Proprietary School Act) were enforcing a provision in the law that did not allow massage therapy schools to sell goods or services provided by its students. Because of this enforcement, schools could not charge consumers for massage therapy received in student clinics, leaving the schools without a way to offset the cost of keeping a student clinic open to the public. SB 786 has brought positive changes, as detailed below.
SB 786 amends the law to allow schools to charge a reasonable fee to consumers utilizing a student massage therapy clinic as long as the program meets six criteria:
- The program includes classroom study and practical training.
- The practical training is supervised by a member of the faculty.
- The practical training is an integral part of the program of study.
- The consumer is given written notification that the service is being performed by a student.
- Money from the service is used solely to support the school.
- The school does not charge a student a penalty or increase his or her program hours beyond the number approved by the department or otherwise penalize the student.
The law affects all schools regulated under the Proprietary School Act. Massage schools will continue to be regulated under this Act until the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy writes rules and regulations to assume authority to approve schools. ABMP encourages schools to become engaged in the board's discussions. The board has the authority to write rules and regulations to implement the licensing law, including regulations regarding entry-level education requirements and deciding on the exam(s) will eventually be required for licensure.
Read SB786 http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/publicact/pdf/2009-PA-0212.pdf
The Michigan Board of Massage Therapy will meet in regular session for 2010 as listed below:
Monday, February 8, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
ABMP representatives Jean Robinson (government relations director) and Jen Argenbright (Michigan school liaison) will both be attending the board meeting on Monday, February 8th. ABMP will be monitoring the progress of the board and discussions regarding rules and regulations closely and will post updates on www.abmp.com.
Meetings are open to the public and are held at the OTTAWA BUILDING, 611 W. OTTAWA, UPPER LEVEL CONFERENCE CENTER, LANSING, MI 48909