Massage & Bodywork Therapists Registration
Registration/Title Protection Act for Massage & Bodywork Therapists (MBT)
1. Streamlines hiring decisions for employers making it far easier to put Minnesotans to work
2. Gives clients a trust-able credential to look for when seeking out Massage & Bodywork Therapy services
3. Creates an enforceable standard of conduct to which MBTs can be held accountable and disciplined
4. Removes burden of regulating MBTs from cities who do not feel equipped to regulate this profession
5. Recommended by Pew Foundation as the appropriate level of protection for this field
6. Voluntary Registration offers a free market solution to the identified need for regulation
7. Brings MN up to speed with 43 states, including all of MN’s neighbors
Massage Therapy Has Caused Harm and Injury
In regulated states, documented complaints filed against MBTs run as high as 27 complaints per 1000 practitioners; this is higher than complaints per thousand in MN for RNs, PTs and Social Workers, combined. Complaints against MBTs include instances of physical and emotional harm and sexual assault.
MN Council of Health Boards 2009 Report’s extensive review process found:
The overall compelling state interest in the regulation of massage therapy is the protection of public safety
Physical Health consequences of incompetent, improperly trained, or unethical practitioners include “significant physical harm”
Minnesota is lagging behind other states by not formally regulating this profession.
Current Laws Ineffective: Too Many Regulations With Too Little Positive Effect
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MN Statute 146A: At best provides spotty, reactive protection for the public No pre-screening or credential for clients, employers, and other health care providers to look for as a basis of choosing a competent practitioner
Patchwork of local city massage ordinances:
Stymies hiring employees and running small business in MN
Ineffective in protecting the public
Suppresses access to care for clients in need
Most are written to fence out prostitution
This bill solves these issues and streamlines and simplifies the regulatory burden on a small business profession
How Many MTs Practicing In Minnesota? How Many Will Sign On?
The combined membership of 2 of the largest associations in MN add up to over 3200 practitioners. The total number of practitioners in MN is statistically estimated to be over 5100. The 5-yr budget for this bill is based on a conservative estimate of 1500 registrations over the first 5 years. IN and CA recently passed similar laws and had over 300% more sign-ups than were expected.
How Is It Paid For? Who handles the Regulation?
As required by MN statute 160.1285, a loan from the SGSR is paid back over 5 years and self-funded through fees collected, with no impact to the general fund. The MN Board of Nursing has agreed to be the oversight board with an Advisory Council comprised of 3 professionals and 2 members of the public.
For More Information Contact:
Jeremy Miller, Gov’t Relations Chair, Am. Massage Therapy Assn-MN: 612-483-5858 / jmillergrc@gmail.com
Rob Vanasek, Lobbyist, Amer. Massage Therapy Assn - MN: 612-964-4876 / robvanasek@bevcomm.net |
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Updated 2/12
