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.
The AMTA, Massachusetts Chapter, needs your help in urging House Ways and Means to report House Bill 4115 favorably and asks that you take action in the manner described below: (Be polite and respectful).
Please follow the instructions below:
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 House Committee on Ways and Means to support House Bill 4115, An Act relative to licensing massage therapists.
Sample Dialogue:
My name is: ______________________. I am a voter in your district.
I am calling in support of House Bill 4115, 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 from advertising “massage” services online.
People are now using the internet to advertise prostitution services under the guise of “massage” and such practices are currently beyond the reach of Massachusetts Board of Registration enforcement.
House Bill 4115 would close this loophole and give the Board the power to stop these illicit activities and protect the public.
I ask that the Representative support House Bill 4115 and contact the House Ways and Means Committee about this matter. Will she/he do so?
Again, my name is ____________________ I am a licensed massage therapist in your district.
I can be reached at _________________ (provide telephone #) if the legislator has any questions.
Thank you and please support our efforts to protect Massachusetts’ residents against threats to public safety.
Action #3. Let the AMTA, Massachusetts Chapter, know the results of your calls.
We ask that all calls be made Monday June 25 through Wednesday June 27. If you have any questions please email us at info@massamta.org.
This legislation affects all massage therapists in Massachusetts and we ask that you play your part in getting this bill passed and share this with any of your colleagues who may not be AMTA members and ask them to also make calls.
You can find the original legislation here and the proposed recommendations here.
Respectfully,
Mary White
President Mass Chapter AMTA