AB 143

Under current law, subject to certain exceptions, no person may provide

massage therapy or bodywork therapy, designate himself or herself as a massage

therapist or bodywork therapist or masseur or masseuse, or use or assume any title

or designation that represents the person as a massage therapist or bodywork

therapist unless the person is licensed as a massage therapist or bodywork therapist

by the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board.

This bill does all of the following with respect to the practice of massage therapy

or bodywork therapy:

1. Specifically authorizes a city, village, or town (municipality) to enact and

enforce an ordinance prohibiting a person from violating the prohibitions described

above unless the person is licensed by the board. The bill authorizes municipalities

to impose forfeitures of up to $1,000 for ordinance violations.

2. Allows the board, in addition to or in lieu of professional discipline or certain

other actions that may be taken by the board against a person who violates certain

prohibitions relating to massage therapy or bodywork therapy, to assess a forfeiture

of not more than $1,000 for each separate offense.

3. Adjusts the penalty for violating provisions under state law relating to

massage therapy and bodywork therapy, including practicing without the required

license, to a criminal fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation or imprisonment

for not more than 90 days, or both. Under current law, the penalty is a civil forfeiture

of up to $1,000.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report.