Senate Bill 227 (SB 227) is essentially a cleanup bill, but also seeks to update licensing requirements, create establishment licensure, increase training hours, and modify fees. SB 227 is out of the Senate, but the South Carolina legislative session adjourned on May 13, 2021. SB 227 will not pass through the legislature this session, but will go through the House in 2022.
Legislative Updates
The Alaska Board of Massage Therapists adopted regulation changes effective June 6, 2021. The changes impact massage therapy establishments, massage therapy licensure, and continuing education requirements.
Massage therapists in Indiana need to renew their certification by May 15, 2021. The renewal fee is $150 and proof of professional liability insurance must be submitted upon renewal. Massage therapists can renew online or by paper copy.
The Washington State Board of Massage's Multicultural Health and Equity Committee is having their first meeting April 27, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. PST in a virtual format open to the public to join.
In June 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy prohibited mobile massage therapy services due to COVID-19. While massage services have since been allowed to resume in business locations, mobile services remain prohibited. Join LMT peers via Zoom to brainstorm local industry ideas and solutions to reverse the ban on mobile massage therapy services.
Massage therapists, instructors from schools offering massage therapy programs, and massage therapy establishment owners must submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check by September 1, 2021. Don't wait until the last minute!
House Bill 2400 would have required statewide licensure for massage therapists in Kansas, but it did not receive a hearing in committee and therefore never moved forward this year.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation withdraws the provision that the human trafficking prevention training course be no more than three credit hours per license term.
House Bill 1315 aimed to deregulate massage therapy, but died in the legislature. Senate Bill 2751 is a sunset bill that extends the Mississippi Massage Practice Act, with a few amendments affecting practitioners and schools. SB 2751 was signed by Governor Reeves and goes into effect July 1, 2021.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation adopted new rules March 3, 2021. The changes summarized within this update address new consent requirements for breast massage and human trafficking prevention continuing education updates. The new rules are effective April 1, 2021.