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Panel advances bill to expand inspections, background checks and penalties for illicit massage businesses
Summary
Senate Bill 221 would allow unannounced inspections after complaints, require criminal-background checks for applicants who seek to open establishments, ban the use of licensed premises as sleeping quarters and direct reporting from the Board of Massage Therapy on complaint responses.
The House Commerce Committee reported Senate Bill 221 on May 27 after lawmakers debated measures aimed at limiting illicit activity in businesses advertising as massage establishments.
Senator Mizell, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure was drafted after law enforcement raised concerns about facilities that operate as brothels or trafficking fronts. “The actions of the bill, it allows for unannounced inspections once a report is received by the Board of Massage Therapy,” the senator said, and added that the board must respond to such complaints within 10 days.
The bill’s main features
- Unannounced inspections: The bill authorizes the Board of…
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