House votes to regulate massage therapists

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BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
317.637.9078 | Wednesday, April 04, 2007 | (3 comment(s))

INDIANAPOLIS| The Indiana House voted 52-39 Tuesday to begin state regulation of massage therapists, a move proponents say would strike a blow against brothels fronting as spas.

"I think we needed to do that with what we went through in Valparaiso," state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said after voting for the measure.

Police busted a pair of Valparaiso spas on prostitution charges in January, and similar stings took place a few weeks later in Carmel, a suburb north of Indianapolis.

Highland police and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement service raided four spas in Highland and Dyer a year ago following a lengthy investigation into claims spa employees solicited sex from customers.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved the therapist certification measure last month, but still must sign off on minor changes made in the House.

The legislation, Senate Bill 320, would require therapists to complete several hundred hours of training and pass one of two exams offered by national massage therapy associations.

The goal is "basically to separate the real massage therapists from the hookers," state Rep. David Wolkins, R-Winona Lake, told colleagues.

Meanwhile, opponents argued it's unfair to force long-practicing professionals to prove their skills on a national test.

"This is going to put some of your legitimate massage therapists out of business," said state Rep. David Crooks, D-Washington.

If the Senate agrees with the latest version of the certification legislation, Indiana likely would join Illinois and at least 36 other states that already regulate massage therapists. Gov. Mitch Daniels has indicated support for the effort.

Where it stands

The Indiana House narrowly approved a plan to regulate massage therapists in Indiana. The state Senate approved a similar measure last month, but must sign off on minor changes made in the House.

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jeremy wrote on May 9, 2007 3:56 PM:

" I think its a great idea. I think people that have been massaging for long periods of time should still have to take and pass any national or state certification. It will only put people out of business who don't really know their fields. Massage is about more than rubbing somebody to relieve pain or to relax them. We can really hurt people if we don't know what we are doing. Even though we cannot diagnose or treat diseases, what we do is still a health issue. "

Larry wrote on Apr 5, 2007 9:08 AM:

" Here�s a relatively simple and cost effective alternative to a complicated, and possibly expensive massage therapy regulation statute. Decriminalize the spa activities that legitimate therapists don�t want to be associated with. If the spas no longer have to hide what they are doing, what would be the point in them offering massage services? "

Practicing Therapist wrote on Apr 4, 2007 11:22 AM:

" I like the fact that we are now requiring a license. However, for people like myself that paid thousands of dollars to attend college and receive a degree to practice massage therapy, I don't feel it is fair. There should be some sort of grandfathering for people who have proof they graduated with a college degree and have been practicing. Many people have been out of school way too long to know some of the little details that these license exams require you to know. The details that you only use in school and are never really required in the field. I really think a grandfathering system would be a beneficial thing. "

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