Thursday, February 4, 2021

House Abolishes Massage Therapy License

 Will Senate approve? 

Massage therapists will no longer need a license in Mississippi if HB #1315 becomes law.  The bill abolishes the Board of Massage Therapy and all licensure requirements for massage therapists.   It passed the House yesterday.

HB #1315 relaxes occupational license requirements for some professions.  The bill dissolves all licenses for professional art therapists, auctioneers, interior designers, wigologists, and massage therapists. The bill did not include symbologists.  The bill was assigned to the House Committe on Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency.

Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn sponsored the original bill.  That bill did not include massage therapy but terminated license requirements for funeral home operators.  That little act of abolition generated some controversy. The committee removed all language about funeral homes but inserted a new Section 10 in the committee substitute bill: 

Sections 73-67-1, 73-67-3, 73-67-5, 73-67-7, 73-67-9, 73-67-11, 73-67-13, 73-67-15, 73-67-17, 73-67-19, 73-67-21, 73-67-23, 73-67-25, 73-67-27, 73-67-29, 73-67-31, 73-67-33, 73-67-35, 73-67-37 and 73-67-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, which create the Mississippi Professional Massage Therapy Act and the State Board of Massage Therapy, are repealed.

The bill passed the House on a 74-36 vote with six abstentions.  It is currently held on a motion to reconsider.  Bill history.

The conservative organization, Empower Mississippi, shot off an email celebrating the victory:

House Bill 1315, sponsored by Speaker Philip Gunn, eliminates licensing requirements for art therapists, auctioneers, interior designers, and wigologists.

Each of these professions poses no legitimate threat to public safety and the state government has no rational basis for regulating them....

HB 1315 passed 72-38.

We are excited to support these bills as they move through the legislature and invite you to lend your voice to the cause. Onward!

Oddly enough, the email does not mention the abolishment of the massage therapy license. Discussion of this section begins at 26:00.


Kingfish note: Several law enforcement officials and massage therapists made it quite clear they were unhappy with this bill.  Several Representatives were unaware of Section 10 when they voted for its passage yesterday.

Discussion of the bill begins at 22:24 in video.

 

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Massages are nice but in most Asian countries a man can get his ears cleaned by a delicate, soft spoken maiden. I miss that sensation so much and wish we could get it here.

Try it once and you will never want a Q-tip again

Anonymous said...

No private occupation would be regulated at unless it was wanted by the members of that occupation. The purpose of the regulation is to protect the occupation, not the public. This goes for anything, be it architects, attorneys, accountants, alarm technicians, barbers, beautician and the rest of the alphabet. Licenses and regulations protect the trade, not the public.

Anonymous said...

The escort services are gonna love this LOL

Kingfish said...

Yeah, sanitation standards are to protect the barbers, not the public.

Anonymous said...

6:29 you're exactly 180 degrees off. I am a member of a couple of those professions you listed above, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that, almost without exception, those in authority over my work don't give two licks about me. Their concern is ONLY about the public.

As a side question: art therapists and wigologists are real things?

Anonymous said...

KF, the Barber Board does not regulate sanitation standards. They provide licenses to operate. You get a bad haircut, go to another barber next month. Same with beauticians. Sanitation requirements are not included in the statutes that establish the boards that regulate professions. Only the requirements that it takes to get a license - and how often you have to renew it. And of course, how much you have to pay the barber (beauty, desogner, whatever) board so that you get your next license.

Of course you do get a nice little certificate you can put in a Walmart frame on your barber shop wall, showing that you are licensed.

Anonymous said...

This may rub some people the wrong way. Bada bing.

Anonymous said...

I'm licensed where the regulators get the vast preponderance of the fines. Conflict of interest? You bet. 5% to protect the public and 95% to enrich the regulators.

Anonymous said...

Yep . . . a free market economy determines which business will survive.

( Irrelevant of a "government license" in many situations . . . NOT ALL, but many ).

Example:

I may get a bad hair cut in Madison, MS . . . or contract Syphilis & Gonorrhea at a brothel
in Nevada.

Either path, it was my choice as a consumer.

In each case, the service providers will correct any issues to keep their profits flowing into their banks accounts.

That's basic Capitalism in a nutshell.






Anonymous said...

Robert Kraft approves.

Anonymous said...

The idea that consumers are all informed and rational is asinine. People make buying decisions based on marketing, not the best service for the best price. It sounds good on paper but is a farce in reality.

Drumsticks said...

Does this mean I can continue playing the symbols on my drum set without a license? I'm confused by the symbologist language.

Anonymous said...

A happy ending, indeed!

Anonymous said...

I’m hearing Hugh Freeze has hired lobbyists to help push this bill through. He’s paying the lobbyists as much as he paid a left tackle, so we are talking big bucks. Hopefully he is not funding the lobbying efforts by stealing from the collection plate at church.

Anonymous said...

Well, they should seriously consider abolishing licenses to practice law. Some of you probably do not have a conscience. I believe for the most part, most professionals appreciate some kind of regulation. If it were not there, any juggling circus clown could come in a magically disappear with some poor soul’s money. Kind of like the pranksters who pine straw your yard and demand 2 or 3 thousand dollars or else. With regulations, the pranksters know the public is aware that you have to be somewhat educated in the profession. Oppose this bill. Just say No. The speaker was asleep when he sponsored this bill. Say no.

Anonymous said...

Dammit! I came on here just to leave a Robert Craft joke. I tip my hat to you 8:33

Anonymous said...

That’s nothing. The House also passed a bill that does away with license to practice medicine. They want nurses to be able to practice medicine as if they went to medical school

Anonymous said...

6:29 -- the medical MJ farmers would disagree, I believe.

Anonymous said...

Who the hell is Robert Craft and why should we care what he does or doesn't think?

Anonymous said...

Many professional licensing regulations are intended only to protect Mississippi businesses from competitors from coming in and taking away their share of the local market. At the very least, professional licensing requirements should provide that if there is someone who has been licensed in another state, they should be able to come here and do the same work without having to jump through even more hoops.

Anonymous said...

With the proliferation of massage guns will there be demand for massage therapists? Hell I got a $200 one from Dirt Cheap in Pearl for $50.

Anonymous said...

The flawed logic goes something like this: well if a massage therapist sucks and injures someone, then everyone will find out and not go there. The free market takes care of it!

Reality: that is a HUGE assumption- it is very possible that through marketing and advertising this sort of thing could be covered up and drowned out. In the meantime more people are unnecessarily getting hurt by poorly trained unlicensed people

Anonymous said...

9:25 - I see what you did there. Nice job.

Anonymous said...

8:13 am You won't get STDs in brothels that are licensed in Nevada.

You can actually be physically injured by a massage therapist that doesn't know what the hell they are doing.

Maybe when enough people have their discs slipped out of place or joint and nerve damage, the idiots in our legislature will reconsider.

More Happy Endings! said...

Great! I no longer have to find a licensed person to give me a hand job.

Anonymous said...

As long as they remove their dentures you won't get injured.

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute. Doesn't the Sate make money of of the license fees?
I am ignorant in the field.. Also, who is really benefiting from this change, Is it the state of MS?
Do you have to show proof of training to get a license? What is to keep untrained people from working?

Anonymous said...

Are Mississippi's mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc required to have a license that involves proving they are capable of the work they do?

I often take care of my own minor daily repairs such as replacing toilets, water heaters both gas and electric and even a 440v 3 phase compressor at a business because so many who advertise to be professionals in various skills actually never do the work. Instead they have OJT helpers doing the work.

HVAC was my most outrageous use of unskilled labor in recent years Reading an owners manual and using a cell phone to call the office the skilled(?) technician worked his way through the problem. The bill was for 'Rocket Scientist' qualifications though.

Anonymous said...

If anyone is against this bill contact Empower Ms they are the ones pushing it !

Anonymous said...

Did you know there is an egg marketing board? The legislators spend money on this. Cuz we knows where the grocery store is.

Anonymous said...

I would like to leave a comment about HB 1315. If this bill is enacted, it would, among other things, eliminate the licensing requirements for art therapists. I am a licensed professional art therapist who has worked in the state of Mississippi for over 25 years with children and adults in inpatient and outpatient facilities. Many of the people I have worked with have been victims of sexual or physical abuse or suffered from medical conditions such as cancer. Art therapy is an evidence-based mental health profession (similar to marriage and family therapy and professional counseling) that requires a masters or doctorate degree to practice. We are trained to use the arts in therapy. We receive extensive education, training and supervision, and pass a national board certification exam. We work with children and adults in in many settings including schools, hospitals, rehab facilities, mental health clinics and agencies offering services to the elderly. Evidence supports the use of art therapy by a trained professional with people such as veterans who have experience trauma. Regulations ensure that the public receives mental health interventions by qualified and trained professionals. The Department of Health regulates licensed professional art therapists.

Anonymous said...

@2:21
Sounds like you should’ve picked a profession that can’t easily be replaced by a YouTuber with a Patreon account!

lol this is the 21st century and technology is the ultimate disruptor! It’s not the states job to protect your job! Go compete!

Anonymous said...

Showing once again that the legislatures in the state of MS are not too bright. Massage therapists can and do cause harm to patients. It isn't a simple back rub. You can pinch nerves or cause damage if you treat someone with an underlying issue.

Anonymous said...

If you get your penis massaged for a fee is that prostitution or a unlicensed massage?

Anonymous said...

" The flawed logic goes something like this: well if a massage therapist sucks and injures someone".

Memories of Lorena Bobbitt .

Anonymous said...

" If you get your penis massaged for a fee is that prostitution or a unlicensed massage?"

Laughing very loud !

Why in the world would any guy have to pay for such.

3:43 PM, I respectfully suggest you get out more often.

Anonymous said...

I oppose this bill. Licensing of massage therapists has been used to shut down several massage houses used as fronts for prostitution and money laundering.

Kingfish said...

Oh, this is funny. The massage therapists hired Charles Porter for their lobbyist. Hope they enjoy burning money because the smell of smoke is all they will get.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.