AN ACT relating to licensing massage therapists.
     Create new sections of KRS Chapter 309 to license massage therapists; define terms related to the practice of massage therapy; cite procedures that massage therapists shall not perform; exempt massage therapy students, specific persons regulated by Kentucky law, and others from compliance; require all who call themselves massage therapists to be licensed; create the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy with seven members appointed by the Governor to serve three-year terms; allow the board to promulgate administrative regulations to administer the provisions of this Act; require the board to provide to anyone, upon request and a fee not to exceed publication costs, a directory of all licensed massage therapists and their places of business; establish licensure and renewal fees; allow currently practicing massage therapists who meet criteria, including 500 clock hours of education and training approved by the board, to be licensed; require 600 hours of education and training for all massage therapy applicants two years following the effective date of this Act; require 24 hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal; provide board sanctions and legal recourse for violations, including sexual misconduct as defined in KRS 510.010(7); authorize the Kentucky State Board of Proprietary Education in conjunction with the board to develop standards and criteria to license or award certificates of accreditation to institutions that train massage therapists; terminate all local government ordinances regulating massage therapists except those relating to zoning requirements or occupational license fees pertaining to health care professionals; deem the practice of massage therapy a health care profession.

     Feb 4-introduced in Senate
     Feb 7-to Licensing, Occupations & Administrative Regulations (S)
     Feb 13-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar with Committee Substitute
     Feb 14-2nd reading, to Rules; posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 18, 2003
     Feb 18-3rd reading, passed 36-0 with Committee Substitute
     Feb 19-received in House
     Feb 20-to Licensing and Occupations (H)
     Feb 21-posted in committee
     Feb 26-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Feb 27-2nd reading, to Rules; posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 28, 2003
     Mar 4-floor amendment (1) filed
     Mar 5-3rd reading; returned to the Orders of the Day; passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
     Mar 10-3rd reading, passed 72-20 with floor amendment (1) ; received in Senate
     Mar 11-posted for passage for concurrence in House floor amendment (1) as a Consent bill; Senate concurred in House floor amendment (1) ; passed 38-0; enrolled, signed by each presiding officer; delivered to Governor
     Mar 18-signed by Governor (Acts ch. 70)