Committee advances bill limiting late-night massage hours after trafficking concerns; amendment narrows curfew to 1 a.m.

Representative John Holcomb urged the committee to approve House Bill 892 to curb what he described as 24-hour massage venues that "are places of human trafficking," saying a time limit would reduce the economics that enable the activity. He told members the proposal initially set hours at 6 a.m.–10 p.m. but that he would accept a later closing time if the committee preferred.

Holcomb, the bill’s sponsor, said law-enforcement stings and public information indicate some massage-only businesses operate overnight to facilitate illicit activity. "There are similar establishments around the state," he said, adding that legitimate multi-service spas (he cited Jeju Spa in Gwinnett) would not be affected because the revised language removes a narrow definition of "entity" to avoid unintentionally curbing other business operations.

Committee members pressed the sponsor on enforcement and local control. Senator Albers questioned whether regulation of business hours traditionally belongs to municipalities and whether a state rule would overreach; Holcomb responded that trafficking is a statewide problem and a uniform statute could add an enforcement tool for police strained by other priorities.

Opponents and skeptics questioned whether hour limits would simply push illicit operations underground. Senator Summers and others asked whether the state had records of trafficking tied to specific venues; Holcomb cited recent stings and said agencies including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had conducted enforcement targeted at spas alleged to be fronts for prostitution and trafficking.

During debate, Senator Jones proposed—and the committee adopted—an amendment narrowing the overnight prohibition to 1 a.m.–6 a.m.; the amendment passed on a counted vote reported as 6–1. The committee then voted to pass the regulated-industries substitute for House Bill 892 as amended, with the chair recording the final vote as 5–3 in favor.

The bill’s sponsor said he will work to identify a senate sponsor to carry the measure. The committee recorded the substitute as LC560649S as amended. The committee did not extend the debate further and moved to the next items on the agenda.

Outcome: The committee passed the substitute for House Bill 892 as amended; the amendment narrowing prohibited hours to 1 a.m.–6 a.m. passed 6–1 and the final motion to pass the substitute passed 5–3.

Sources: Committee hearing transcript; sponsor and committee member remarks.