House Bill 5219
Sponsor: Rep. Gloria Schermesser
Committee: Regulatory Reform
Complete to 10-9-00
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5219 AS INTRODUCED 12-10-99
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to establish a regulatory structure to license massage therapists. The "practice of massage therapy" would be defined as the "scientific art of tissue manipulation by hand or with a mechanical or electrical instrument for a therapeutic purpose". Massage could include the use of oil rubs or the application of hot and cold treatments, but would not include the diagnosis of illness, giving medical advice, or dispensing medication.
The bill would create the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy within the Department of Consumer and Industry Services according to criteria in the code pertaining to the establishment of occupational boards. Membership would comprise five persons who met the code's general qualifications for board members and four public members. A member's term would expire on December 31 four years after his or her appointment. Minimum standards for licensure would be established by rule by the board, in conjunction with the department. The board could adopt the professional standards issued by the American Massage Therapy Association or any other recognized professional association. However, a rule could not be adopted if it diminished competition or exceeded the minimum level of regulation necessary to protect the public. Further, the board would have to establish, by rule, continuing education requirements as a condition for license renewal. After the effective date of the rules promulgated by the board, only a person licensed under the bill could use certain titles that identified him or her as a licensed massage therapist.
In addition, the bill would establish license fees for a massage therapist. The license application fee would be set at $20 and an annual license would be $50.
MCL 333.16131 et al.
Analyst: S. Stutzky