Ratification of the Interstate Massage Compact. (FE)

2. The ability for a massage therapist who is licensed in a home state and satisfies certain other criteria to obtain a multistate license, which allows a massage therapist to practice massage therapy in all other compact states (remote states). The compact specifies a number of requirements in order for a massage therapist to obtain a multistate license, including holding a massage therapist license in a home state, having completed at least 625 hours of massage therapy education or the substantial equivalent, not having certain disqualifying criminal convictions, not having any encumbrances or restrictions against an occupational or professional license in the previous two years, and paying any required fees. A massage therapist practicing in a remote state under a multistate license is subject to all scope-of-practice laws governing massage therapy services in that state. A remote state may take actions against a massage therapist’s authorization to practice in the remote state, and if any adverse action is taken by a remote state against a licensee’s authorization to practice, that adverse action applies to all authorizations to practice in all remote states. If a massage therapist’s home state or multistate license is encumbered, the massage therapist loses the authorization to practice in all remote states until certain criteria are satisfied.

3. The ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other states.

4. The creation of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure and disciplinary action information on massage therapists. The compact requires all home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse actions to be reported to the commission. A member state must submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission.

5. Provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between member states and between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a state’s membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the compact.

The compact language in the bill reflects the original language approved in 2023 for the compact, also referred to as IMpact.

The compact becomes effective in this state upon enactment of the same compact language by seven states. The compact provides that it may be amended upon enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until 180 days after the effective date of that repeal.