MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSURE                                                          H.B. 5001 (S-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5001 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Dan Lauwers

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Health Policy

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to do the following with respect to the licensure of massage therapists:

-- For an applicant who enrolled in a massage education program on or after August 1, 2017, increase from 500 to 625 the minimum number of hours of classroom instruction, or hours of education in an out-of-State program.

-- Provide that the classroom instruction could occur either at a physical location where the students and instructor were present or by distance education, but require physical classroom instruction for certain program components.

-- Require all classroom instruction to be facilitated by a qualified instructor trained in the subject matter and, if applicable, distance education methods.

-- Delete the requirement for a high school diploma or its equivalent.

The program components that would require classroom instruction are hands-on techniques, clinical or lab experiences, and psychomotor domain learning, including palpation, or others as determined by the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.

MCL 333.17959                                                             Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  9-7-16                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.