Senate tightens massage‑therapy rules, targets illicit businesses and requires background checks

The Senate on May 13 passed SB221 to broaden the state board's authority over massage establishments, bar use of licensed facilities as residences and require criminal background checks on renewal applications.

Senator Meisel said the bill was prompted by complaints from an East Baton Rouge deputy sheriff and aims to give the board power to adopt rules to address fraud and abuse. "There are illicit massage businesses where primarily you have Asian women that have been brought to this country and are being held in the business until they pay off the debt of the person who brought them," Meisel said on the floor.

Floor amendments clarified technical points and added provisions prohibiting establishments from being used as sleeping quarters. The bill also requires renewal applicants to receive state and federal background checks, Meisel said; the sponsor noted the change originated in a Commerce committee discussion and asked colleagues to support the amendments.

The measure passed on a recorded vote. The clerk reported "37 yeas and 0 nays," and senators adopted the bill. Supporters said the changes are intended to curb trafficking and illicit operations masquerading as legitimate massage businesses and to provide the licensing board enforcement tools.

If enacted, the board will have rulemaking authority to address fraud and abuse in the profession, and agencies will be able to require background checks at renewal. The statute also includes a leasing restriction so that if a licensed establishment loses its license the physical location cannot be quickly relet to another massage operator without review.