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Committee hears Interstate Massage Compact; sponsor withdraws bill after rulemaking, cost and enforcement concerns
Summary
Lawmakers heard House Bill 1217 to join an Interstate Massage Compact that would allow multistate licensing for massage therapists; the sponsor later pulled the bill after committee members raised questions about rulemaking authority, fees and enforcement related to human trafficking and discipline.
The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1217, a bill to join an Interstate Massage Compact that would allow licensed massage therapists to obtain a multistate license to practice in other member states. Representative Jason Azarenko introduced the bill and said the compact would reduce licensing barriers and expand mobility for practitioners, including military spouses.
Patty Glenn, director of education and professional mobility with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, told the committee the compact creates a national registry and requires passage of the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) for multistate license holders. "This, in fact, does not weaken regulation. In fact, it strengthens it. Therapists must have passed the massage and body work licensing exam," Glenn said.
Support letters from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and…
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