Here is the latest from Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals:
Bill Would Require Licensing of Massage Therapists - Action Needed!
House Bill 2564, which has been introduced in the Kansas Legislature, would require massage therapists to become licensed for the purpose of protecting the public and ensuring that the standards of practice in the field are protected and preserved. If passed, the bill would require massage therapists to become licensed by the state under the Kansas Board of Healing Arts (Board), and would establish a Massage Therapy Advisory Council to advise the Board in carrying out the provisions of the Act.
House Bill 2564 would set minimum training requirements, define a scope of practice, stop any efforts by other fields to control the future of massage therapy, provide an avenue for consumer complaints, and pre-empt local regulations.
Generous Grandfathering Requirements for Current Massage Therapists: For a period of two years, existing practitioners would be able to qualify for a state license by meeting one of the following criteria:
1. Has completed a massage program consisting of a minimum 500 hours; or
2. Has completed a massage program of at least 300 hours and has practiced massage for a period of 3 years; or
3. Has practiced massage for at least 5 years prior to the date of application; or
4. Has been an active member of a national massage therapist association (such as ABMP) which provides professional liability insurance for at least a year; or
5. Has passed a nationally recognized examination approved by the board.
1. Has completed a massage program consisting of a minimum 500 hours; or
2. Has completed a massage program of at least 300 hours and has practiced massage for a period of 3 years; or
3. Has practiced massage for at least 5 years prior to the date of application; or
4. Has been an active member of a national massage therapist association (such as ABMP) which provides professional liability insurance for at least a year; or
5. Has passed a nationally recognized examination approved by the board.
After two years, all new applicants will have to demonstrate they have completed a massage program consisting of at least 500 hours and passed an examination approved by the board.
Several practices would be exempt from licensure as long as practitioners do not practice, or advertise that they practice massage therapy, including: reflexology, movement educators (Feldenkrais, Trager, and Body-Mind Centering), energy work (Reiki, Shiatsu, Asian Bodywork, Polarity), structural integrators (Rolfing and Hellerwork).
The licensing fee would be no more than $80 per year and continuing education requirements would be limited to no more than 6 hours per year. Massage therapists would be required to carry professional liability insurance (required for all health professionals regulated under the Board).
A copy of House Bill 2564 can be found at: House Bill 2564: Massage Therapy Licensure
Massage Therapists Call to Action—Please Contact Your Legislators Now
Legislative Hearing February 8, 1:30 PM
House Bill 2564 will be heard first in the House. If passed by the House, it will go to the Senate. Supporters of House Bill 2564 are focused now on the House Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 2564 will not become law without the support and advocacy of everyone contacting their legislators. In order for this legislation to pass, it is critical that all massage therapists, your families, and clients begin to make contact with your legislators. Do not be hesitant to contact legislators as they have chosen to serve in public life and we are all obligated to make our views known to them.
First Step - What Needs to Happen Now
The House Health and Human Services Committee will hold the first hearing on House Bill 2564 on Wednesday, February 8, at 1:30 PM. Supporters of massage therapy licensure need to make contactbefore this date.
The House Health and Human Services Committee will hold the first hearing on House Bill 2564 on Wednesday, February 8, at 1:30 PM. Supporters of massage therapy licensure need to make contactbefore this date.
If your member of the Kansas House of Representatives is on the House Health and Human Services Committee, please contact them now. See the Committee membership list below and the script for what to say. If your member of the Kansas House of Representatives is not on the House Health and Human Services Committee, please contact them anyway and tell them you support House Bill 2564. We should focus our attention on the House of Representatives now.
The Message You Need to Send Now
The following language should be incorporated in your own words when communicating with legislators. Massage therapists, your clients, and your family members, etc. can all use this script. This language is meant to be a guide for making your argument. Please add what you feel you need to BUT keep the message short and focused.
The following language should be incorporated in your own words when communicating with legislators. Massage therapists, your clients, and your family members, etc. can all use this script. This language is meant to be a guide for making your argument. Please add what you feel you need to BUT keep the message short and focused.
I am ______________ and I live in your district. I am a massage therapist. [Provide a two sentence summary of what you do, your experience etc.] I need your help and support to pass Massage Therapist Licensure legislation (House Bill 2564) this year.House Bill 2564, is being heard in House Health and Human Services Committee on February 8. I support the bill and need you to support it too.At no cost to the State, the licensing of massage therapists will accomplish the following:
• Provide consumer protection by creating oversight and sanctions through the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.
• Increase consumer confidence by ensuring massage therapists are appropriately trained and following appropriate standards.
• At this time, there are NO standards or education requirements, no code of ethics, and no identified contra-indications when massage therapy should not be offered.
• Most importantly, there is NO avenue for the citizens of Kansas to file any complaints.I need your support and help during the 2012 legislative session to make sure this legislation is passed. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Again, please feel free to modify this format and language to fit your email, letter, or conversation. Please, however, do make contact with your legislators if you want this legislation to pass.
Contact information for members of the House Health and Human Services Committee:
Rep. Brenda K. Landwehr, R-91st (Chair) from Wichita, 785-296-7683
Rep. Owen Donohoe, R-39th (Vice Chair) Shawnee, 785-296-7695
Rep. J. Stephen Alford, R-124th Ulysses, 785-296-7696
Rep. Bob Bethell, R-113th Alden, 785-296-7616
Rep. Barbara Bollier, R-25th Mission Hills, 785-296-7686
Rep. Terry Calloway, R-3rd Pittsburg, 785-296-7677
Rep. David Crum, R-77th Augusta, 785-296-7639
Rep. Jim Denning, R-19th Overland Park, 785-296-7665
Rep. Phil Hermanson, R-96th Wichita, 785-296-7500
Rep. Peggy Mast, R-76th Emporia, 785-296-7685
Rep. Kelly Meigs, R-17th Lenexa, 785-296-7656
Rep. Susan Mosier, R-67th Manhattan, 785-296-7690
Rep. Bill Otto, R-9th LeRoy, 785-296-7656
Rep. Brian Weber, R-119th Dodge City, 785-296-7646
Rep. Geraldine Flaharty, D-98th (Ranking Member) Wichita, 785-296-7651
Rep. Ann Mah, D-53rd Topeka, 785-296-7668
Rep. Ed Trimmer, D-78th Winfield, 785-296-7122
Rep. Jim Ward, D-88th Wichita, 785-296-7697
Rep. Valdenia Winn, D-34th Kansas City, 785-296-7657
Massage Therapist Resources - How to Find and Contact Your Legislators
Find A Copy of the Bill
You can find a copy of House Bill 2564 at the following link: House Bill 2564: Massage Therapy Licensure
You can find a copy of House Bill 2564 at the following link: House Bill 2564: Massage Therapy Licensure
Find Your LegislatorsGo to this website to locate your legislators. You only need to enter your address and it will provide you with your member of the State House of Representative Member and State Senator.
Contact Legislators at their office email or telephones. If you do not receive a response, contact them at their home email address.
Telephone NumbersOffice and personal phone numbers can be found at the following website for your legislators.
Email Addresses
All Senator and House of Representative member email addresses are the same: first name.last name@senate.ks.gov, for example john.doe@senate.ks.gov or john.doe@house.ks.gov.
All Senator and House of Representative member email addresses are the same: first name.last name@senate.ks.gov, for example john.doe@senate.ks.gov or john.doe@house.ks.gov.
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