Massage therapist bill raises concerns for small businesses - KARE

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Massage therapist bill. Credit: KARE 11

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A bill to establish a statewide registry for massage therapists is raising concerns for some small business owners.

The bill calls for a voluntary registration with the state. In order to register massage therapists must pass a criminal background check, have a high school diploma and complete at least 500 hours of education in massage and body work. Those convicted of certain crimes like prostitution and human trafficking would not be allowed to register.

Representative Nick Zerwas of Elk River, who sponsors the bill says it would make things easier for massage therapy businesses and would also help deter criminal activity.

"We want to make sure we're not setting up a system that's so lax statewide it would undermine what cities are currently trying to regulate...that are currently dealing with real ongoing persistent human trafficking incidences," says Representative Zerwas.

Many massage therapists agree that cracking down on human trafficking is a priority but think this bill isn't the way to do it. They fear the cost could drive owners out of business.

Representative Tina Liebling of Rochester says she is against the bill. “It requires a certain amount of education and there's a lot of expense in the bill and many of these practitioners are people who only practice a few times a week,” says Rep. Liebling.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association Minnesota is currently one of five states in the nation that does not require registry for massage therapists.

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