MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSE H.B. 5651 (S-1):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 5651 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Paul Condino
House Committee: Regulatory Reform
Senate Committee: Economic Development and Regulatory Reform
CONTENT
The bill would add Part 179A (Massage Therapy) to the Public Health Code to do all of the following:
-- Prohibit a person from engaging in the practice of massage therapy, or using specified titles, unless he or she was licensed under Part 179A.
-- Specify practices for which a massage therapy license would not be required.
-- Create the 11-member Michigan Board of Massage Therapy within the Department of Community Health (DCH).
-- Require the DCH to issue licenses on a three-year cycle.
-- Establish age, education, experience, and moral character requirements for licensure.
-- Require the Board to provide that applicants pass an examination, and establish requirements for the Board's adoption of an examination.
-- Require massage therapists to make referrals to health professionals under certain circumstances.
-- For each three-year license cycle, require at least 18 hours, or the equivalent acceptable to the Board, of continuing education requirements for license renewal.
-- Specify that Part 179A would not require new or additional third-party reimbursement or mandated workers' compensation benefits or services.
-- Prohibit a local unit of government from establishing or maintaining licensing requirements for massage therapists licensed under Part 179A.
The bill also would set a $20 application processing fee and a $75 per-year license fee for a person licensed or seeking licensure under Part 179A.
Proposed MCL 333.16334 et al. Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would require the State to incur costs associated with the establishment of the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy and an increased administrative burden due to the introduction of licensure standards for massage therapists. These costs would be partially offset by the initial processing fee of $20 and the annual license fee of $75. Various estimates suggest that approximately 3,000 to 4,000 massage therapists in Michigan would meet the licensing requirements outlined in the bill. Accordingly, the State could expect to collect approximately $225,000 or more per year from the proposed annual license fee.
Date Completed: 10-1-08 Fiscal Analyst: Matthew GrabowskiAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5651/0708