The Massachusetts Chapter of the AMTA is committed to advancing the interests of professional massage therapists in Massachusetts. As you know, the Legislature enacted Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2006, “An Act Relative to the Licensure of Massage Therapists,” to govern licensure of massage therapists. Since that time, the Board of Registration of Massage Therapy has been confronted by various issues not contemplated in 2006. House Bill 4115, a new filing in the current legislative session, amends the statute governing licensure of massage therapists to further protect the public and raise professional standards. House Bill 4115 received a favorable vote from the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and now sits before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

On the legislative front, the AMTA-MA has filed legislation to address issues that our enabling legislation from 2006 did not address.  The AMTA-MA filed legislation, House Bill 2688, clarifies the definition of “massage”, tightens up the restrictions against the use of electronic means, establishes clearer boundaries for participating in sporting or charitable events and addresses the issue of using kinesio tape.  To that end, the AMTA-MA met with various legislative leaders and members of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, where our legislation was initially heard, and testified at the public hearing on the same.