Bill

Bill > SB216


MD SB216

MD SB216
Massage Therapy - Definition, Registration, and Reimbursement


summary

Introduced
01/23/2023
In Committee
03/30/2023
Crossed Over
03/17/2023
Passed
04/04/2023
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/03/2023

Introduced Session

2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT concerning Massage Therapy - Definition, Registration, and Reimbursement FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “massage therapy”; altering the date after which the option to be registered by the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners to practice massage therapy in a setting that is not a health care setting will no longer be available; repealing a provision of law that provides that certain provisions of law do not require a nonprofit health insurance plan, an insurer, a health maintenance organization, or a person acting as a third party administrator to reimburse a licensed massage therapist or registered massage practitioner for any services rendered; and generally relating to the regulation of massage therapists and massage practitioners. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Health Occupations Section 6-101(a) and 6-301(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Health Occupations Section 6-101(f)(3) and 6-302(c) and (e) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) BY repealing Article - Health Occupations Section 6-403 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Chapter 705 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022 Section 2 and 3 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Chapter 706 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022 Section 2 and 3

AI Summary

This bill makes the following key changes: 1. It alters the definition of "massage therapy" to exclude the diagnosis or treatment of illness, disease, or injury, as well as the adjustment, manipulation, or mobilization of the osseous structures of the human body or spine. 2. It establishes a deadline of October 31, 2026, after which individuals must either be licensed by the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners or registered with the Board to practice massage therapy in a non-healthcare setting. 3. It extends the deadline for individuals to qualify for registration as a registered massage practitioner from September 30, 2023, to September 30, 2024, and specifies the requirements for such registration. 4. It repeals a provision that previously exempted certain health insurance plans and entities from being required to reimburse licensed massage therapists or registered massage practitioners for their services. The bill aims to regulate the practice of massage therapy in Maryland, including defining the scope of practice, establishing licensing and registration requirements, and addressing reimbursement for massage therapy services.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 330 (on 05/03/2023)

Bill Topics

Health
  • ‐ Health Insurance Reform
  • ‐ Regulation of Health-Related Occupations and Services

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...