Evesham adjusts massage measure - Burlington County Times

[massage]

EVESHAM — Massage, bodyworks and somatic therapy establishments will need to reach out to the Police Department as part of the registration program underway in town.

Businesses in the massage industry will be required to contact the department directly to be registered, police Chief Christopher Chew said. Previously, the township clerk took the registrations.


Designating a member of the force to handle the registration was more logical since it was already in charge of enforcement, Chew said.

The change comes eight months after the Township Council approved a measure to regulate massage establishments in hopes of weeding out criminal activity associated with some of the businesses.

"We had numerous investigations over the years of individuals that were giving out sexual favors during the massages," Chew said. "And we really had no opportunity to see who was working there and to see if they had licenses with the state and for sanitary reasons."

Under the local law, massage and similar businesses are subject to registration, licensing and inspection requirements, and must pay a $250 annual fee.

To be in compliance, an applicant must submit a copy of a valid state-issued license showing that the massage parlor is in good standing and compliant with state requirements, along with the licenses of the business' therapists by the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.

Prior to setting up shop, massage establishments must receive approval from the council and agree to random inspections by the police to ensure they are abiding by the law.

Any violations will be reported to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, which may result in the revocation of the state-issued license.

Massages conducted by a licensed physician, chiropractor or physical therapist or in an established medical center or hospital are exempt from the local law.


Todd McHale: 609-871-8163; email: [email protected]; Twitter: @toddmchale


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