First Substitute H.B. 207

Representative Brian M. Greene proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE ACT AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Brian M. Greene

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies Title 58, Chapter 47b, Massage Therapy Practice Act, by exempting
             10      certain individuals from licensure under the act.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    exempts an individual from licensure as a massage therapist if the individual is
             14      certified by, and in good standing with, a nationally recognized association that
             15      represents a profession with established standards and ethics and:
             16              .    engages in the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to the hands, feet, and
             17      ears only, including the practice of reflexology and foot zone therapy; and
             18              .    the individual's clients remain fully clothed from the shoulders to the knees; and
             19          .    makes technical changes.
             20      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             21          None
             22      Other Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             25      AMENDS:


             26           58-47b-304 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 220
             27     
             28      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             29          Section 1. Section 58-47b-304 is amended to read:
             30           58-47b-304. Exemptions from licensure.
             31          (1) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307 , the following
             32      individuals may engage in the practice of massage therapy as defined under this chapter,
             33      subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed, but may not
             34      represent themselves as a massage therapist or massage apprentice:
             35          (a) [physicians and surgeons] a physician or surgeon licensed under Title 58, Chapter
             36      67, Utah Medical Practice Act;
             37          (b) [nurses] a nurse licensed under Title 58, Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, or under
             38      Title 58, Chapter 44a, Nurse Midwife Practice Act;
             39          (c) [physical therapists] a physical therapist licensed under Title 58, Chapter 24b,
             40      Physical Therapy Practice Act;
             41          (d) [physical therapist assistants] a physical therapist assistant licensed under Title 58,
             42      Chapter 24b, Physical Therapy Practice Act, while under the general supervision of a physical
             43      therapist;
             44          (e) [osteopathic physicians and surgeons] an osteopathic physician or surgeon licensed
             45      under Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
             46          (f) [chiropractic physicians] a chiropractic physician licensed under Title 58, Chapter
             47      73, Chiropractic Physician Practice Act;
             48          (g) [hospital staff members] a hospital staff member employed by a hospital, who
             49      [practice] practices massage as part of [their] the staff member's responsibilities;
             50          [(h) athletic trainers who practice massage as part of their responsibilities while
             51      employed by an educational institution or an athletic team that participates in organized sports
             52      competition;]
             53          (h) an athletic trainer licensed under Title 58, Chapter 40a, Athletic Trainer Licensing
             54      Act;
             55          (i) [students] a student in training enrolled in a massage therapy school approved by the
             56      division;


             57          (j) [naturopathic physicians] a naturopathic physician licensed under Title 58, Chapter
             58      71, Naturopathic Physician Practice Act;
             59          (k) an occupational therapist licensed under Title 58, Chapter 42a, Occupational
             60      Therapy Practice Act; [and]
             61          (l) [persons] an individual performing gratuitous massage[.]; and
             62          (m) an individual certified by or through, and in good standing with, a nationally
             63      recognized organization that represents a profession with established standards and ethics:
             64          (i) who engages in the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to the hands, feet,
             65      and ears only, including the practice of reflexology and foot zone therapy;
             66          (ii) whose clients remain fully clothed from the shoulders to the knees; and
             67          (iii) whose clients do not receive gratuitous massage from the individual.
             68          (2) This chapter may not be construed to authorize any individual licensed under this
             69      chapter to engage in any manner in the practice of medicine as defined by the laws of this state.
             70          (3) This chapter may not be construed to:
             71          (a) [create or] require insurance coverage or reimbursement for massage therapy from
             72      third party payors [if this type of coverage did not exist on or before February 15, 1990]; or
             73          (b) prevent [any] an insurance carrier from offering coverage for massage therapy.


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