The Massachusetts Chapter of the AMTA is committed to advancing the interests of licensed massage therapists in the Commonwealth.
As you know, the Legislature enacted Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2006, which established 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 185, a second time filing, amends the statute governing licensure of massage therapists to further protect the public and raise professional standards. House Bill 185 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. You can read more about HB 185 here.
The AMTA Massachusetts Chapter needs your help in urging House Ways and Means to report House Bill 185 favorably and asks that you take action. (Be polite and respectful).
Action Steps & Talking Points
for AMTA Members
ACTION #1. Find out who your State Representative is. Go to: www.wheredoivotema.com.
ACTION #2. Contact Your State Representative at (617) 722-2000 or the number from the above website and ask them to contact the Chairman Brian Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means in support of House Bill 185, An Act relative to licensing massage therapists.
Sample Dialogue:
My name is: ______________________ and I am a voter in your district.
I am calling in strong support of House Bill 185, which would make technical corrections to the massage therapy enabling act and close a key public safety loophole.
In particular, current law does not penalize unlicensed people for advertising “massage” services online.
House Bill 185 would close this loophole and help protect the public by giving the Board the power to further prevent the unlicensed practice of massage therapy.
The legislation does not cost the Commonwealth any money, but will help prevent illegal activity.
I respectfully ask that the Representative support House Bill 185 and contact the House Ways and Means Committee about this matter. Will she/he do so?
Again, my name is ____________________ and I can be reached at _________________ (provide telephone #) if the Representative has any questions.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to protect Massachusetts’ residents against threats to public safety.
Action #3. E-Mail Your State Representative To Follow-Up on Your Call. You may copy & paste the script above to use in your email, (just be sure to fill in the blanks with your information!) ASK THEM TO E-MAIL YOU BACK WITH ANY FEEDBACK FROM CHAIRMAN DEMPSEY’S OFFICE.
Action #4. Let the AMTA-MA Chapter know the results of your calls and emails. Email us at info@massamta.org and let us know the results of your call.
Thank you for your help in getting House Bill 185 passed.