Senate circles massage-practice licensing bill after debate on training and cost

Sen. Evans presented substitute Senate Bill 28 as a negotiated effort to better define the practice of massage and to raise professional training over time. "It increases the amount of hours of training gradually from 500 hours to, 1000 hours over the period of the next couple of years," the sponsor said, stressing a phased approach designed to let schools and programs adjust.

Opponents and questioners pressed on cost and access. Sen. Steele said current six-month programs cost about $6,500 and warned that doubling training hours could raise costs substantially. "If it's $6,500 now for 6 months ... $13,000 for 6 months," he said, arguing the change could restrict entry to the profession and raise consumer prices. Sen. Jones and others raised concerns that elderly or low-income consumers could be priced out of beneficial services.

Supporters countered that the bill would improve public protection by clarifying what trained practitioners may and may not do and by raising standards. Senators also debated grandfathering: the sponsor clarified that current practitioners would be grandfathered in as technicians and would need additional training to be designated 'therapists.'

After extended floor discussion the Senate moved to "circle" the bill, directing sponsors to arrange briefings from the licensing department and stakeholder groups so senators could address implementation and cost concerns before returning the bill to the floor.

Outcome: SB 28 circled for further stakeholder briefings and DOPL/department input; no final vote recorded on the floor during this session.