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House amends and passes overhaul of Utah Massage Practice Act
Summary
The House adopted amendments to Senate Bill 121 — recodifying the Massage Practice Act — to centralize licensure at the state level, add insurance‑protection language and create a certification process for estheticians; the amended bill passed 61–7.
SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers on the House floor approved an amended recodification of the Massage Practice Act, moving licensing authority to the state while leaving enforcement responsibilities with local governments and adding a carve‑out process for estheticians.
Representative Hunter, the bill sponsor, said the legislation recodifies and cleans up existing law and moves licensing to the state to ensure consistent standards. “These amendments…simply protect the insurance companies,” Hunter said when presenting amendment language that clarifies the bill does not create a new insurance‑coverage mandate.
Representative Bishop offered a successful amendment to allow the Division within the Department of Commerce to define estheticians and certify groups for exemption from massage board regulation, a change sponsors said addresses long‑standing concerns from estheticians while preserving public health protections.
The House voted 61–7 to pass the amended bill. Supporters said the measure streamlines oversight and addresses industry concerns; opponents raised questions during floor debate but the sponsor and amendment proponents indicated the measure had been vetted in committee and through stakeholders.
The bill, as amended, now moves back to the Senate for further action.
