New bill could make it easier to license massage parlors - WPRI 12 Eyewitness News

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Ellen Morrissey; with reporting by Chantee Lans Published: November 13, 2015, 6:44 am

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PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) – One Rhode Island lawmaker wants to make it easier to apply for and receive a license to open a massage parlor in the Ocean State.

Pawtucket Representative Carlos Tobon believes it will eliminate the underground brothel problem Rhode Island had this year.

Providence passed an ordinance to eliminate the massage parlors all together, but the owners in turn just moved their businesses to other cities.

“What’s going to happen is that a lot of these businesses are going to go to the next town over and just open shop again,” said Tobon.

Tobon said he plans to file a pre-bill Monday to give all Rhode Island cities and towns the authority to license and regulate massage parlors.

The parlors are legal in Rhode Island, but many have been shut down for illicit behavior, such as prostitution.

Pawtucket now has a city ordinance in place making it illegal to operate an unlicensed massage parlor.

The passing of a statewide ordinance may help to prevent lawsuits from owners of the businesses.

It would also help police shut down the illegal establishments.

“I want to make sure that we’re not exploiting women, that sex trafficking does not occur in our city, that we don’t send the wrong message to families and youth and make sure that Rhode Island is on the comeback, Pawtucket is on the forefront of that as well,” said Representative Tobon.

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