SB 362 - This act amends various provisions regarding licensure of massage therapists. The act creates a Board of Therapeutic Massage within the Division of Professional Registration, and removes the licensure supervision from the Board of Healing Arts. The public member of the Board of Therapeutic Massage shall not participate in any decisions concerning technical requirements for licensure, or technical competence of licensees or candidates for licensure. The Board may promulgate rules regarding required fees, which shall be deposited into the Massage Therapy Fund in the State Treasury.

The Board may refuse to issue, renew or reinstate a license, or may discipline a licensee, for one or more of the stated grounds. The Board may cause a complaint to be filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission against a licensee. Persons or companies providing information to the Division of Professional Registration in good faith regarding the provisions of the act shall not be subject to civil damages as a result. Persons engaged in massage therapy for at least ten years prior to the effective date of the act may apply for licensure by December 31, 2000. The Division of Professional Registration shall hire staff to carry out the provisions of the act, and shall exercise all budgeting, purchasing and reporting functions.
JOAN GUMMELS