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Legislative Awareness Day is Thursday, May 19th, 2011
Location: Hall of Flags, State Capitol Building, Hartford, CT
We will be working two shifts:
8:30-12:45 morning and 12:30-4:30 afternoon.
We need 15-20 Therapists for each shift!
Chair massage for State Legislature and Staff,
educating them on the benefits of the massage and the need to maintain strong laws regarding Massage Therapy.
Let's 'Count You In' to help out by contacting Lee Stang at lstangbth@aol.com.
Governor Rell Signs Bill Regulating Licensed Massage Therapists
This law went into effect October 1, 2009.
Press Release of this Bill
(6/9/09) Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed a public health bill into law that establishes criminal penalties for individuals who practice massage therapy without a state license, a measure intended to stem the growth of establishments that promote illegal activities under the guise of massage businesses.
“Those who try to deceive the public or run an illegal business they promote as legitimate will face jail time and costly fines,” the Governor said. “Simply put, if you don’t have a state health license that says you are a certified massage therapist, don’t tell the public you do. This law is more than just truth in advertising; it is sound health policy and ensures the public gets the highest standard of care.”
House Bill 5883, An Act Concerning The Unlicensed Practice of Massage Therapy, makes it a Class C misdemeanor for anyone to engage in the practice of massage therapy or use the title “massage therapist” without a license from the state Department of Public Health. It would be punishable by up to three months in prison and a fine of up to $500.
The Governor said the new law will protect the public by making it easier for police to identify and apprehend individuals illegally practicing massage in Connecticut. In recent years, establishments have opened in a number of cities and towns and purport to offer massage therapy but have little or nothing to do with legitimate massage businesses. Many town ordinances regulating these local establishments are outdated, and some as written, have the potential to promote illegal activities.
The new law takes effect October 1, 2009.
Public Act No. 09-182: House Bill 5883 passes!
View entire official document
Public Act No. 09-182
An Act Concerning The Unlicensed Practice Of Massage Therapy
It is official! House Bill 5883 has passed the House, the Senate and found its way to the Governor’s office. And at 11:35 on Friday June 26, Chapter President Scott Raymond, IPP Lee Stang and Past President Shirley Cooper joined Representative Linda Orange and Governor M. Jodi Rell as Governor Rell signed the bill into law!
It was pretty exciting to be in the Governors office and a first for Shirley Cooper. With 25 years in the organization it is a challenge to find something that Shirley has not done. But this is the first time she was on hand to see her hard work signed into law. Now it will be a class 3 misdemeanor to perform or advertise massage without a license. This is accompanied by a fine of not more than $500.00 and jail time not to exceed 90 days.
We are very pleased with the results of this legislative session yet there is work to be done in the future to continue to ‘firm up’ this portion of the law. The government relations committee along with our Lobbyist Judy Yost have already begun the work.
On another note we have kept a diligent eye on the issue of taxes and massage therapy. As of 6-26-09 massage is NOT included in the new tax laws that are being brought forth. Yet another feather in the cap of our Lobbyist and those members that are involved with the government relations committee. Thanks for your hard work: Scott Raymond, Shirley Cooper, Lisa Torre, Lee Stang and Lobbyist Judy Yost.
This Public Act as law now means:
This bill makes performing massage without a license a class 3 misdemeanor. The bill protects the act of massage as well as the advertising of massage and reads as follows:
(g) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) or (e) of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both.
Sections a and e read as follows and come directly from our current licensing law.
No person shall engage in the practice of massage therapy unless the person has obtained a license from the department pursuant to this section…
(e)No person shall use the title "massage therapist", "licensed massage therapist", "massage practitioner", "massagist", "masseur" or "masseuse", unless the person holds a license issued in accordance with this section or other applicable law.
House Bill No. 6349 [posted 3/09 by Lee Stang]
Many of you may have heard the rumor that there is a bill in the State House that if passed would result in Massage Therapy being subject to sales tax. Upon hearing this we stepped into action and contacted our Lobbyist Judy Yost.
Judy went to the capitol and met with Deputy Speaker of the House Linda Orange and a House Attorney to review the language of this raised bill. It was determined pursuant to section (BB)….”exclusive of (i) services rendered by massage therapists licensed pursuant to chapter 384a”….that we are exempt and NOT included in this bill.
In light of the current economic situation we directed Judy to attend the public hearing regarding this bill that was held on Monday February 9 to monitor this situation. The Government Relations Committee will continue to monitor this bill as well as any others that might be put forth that would affect our profession. As it stands now bill no. 6349 does not require further action by our organization. If you hear of anything else that we should look into please contact the committee via email at immediatepastpresident@amtactchapter.org.