Bill > SB253

This bill establishes a series of changes to the regulation of massage therapy in Alabama, temporarily placing the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board under the Board of Nursing from June 1, 2024, to October 1, 2026. The Executive Director of the Board of Nursing is authorized to perform key functions for the massage therapy board during this transition, including the ability to issue an emergency order to suspend a massage therapy establishment's operations when public safety is at immediate risk. The bill clarifies licensing procedures, introduces more stringent background check requirements for applicants, and expands the board's powers to investigate and discipline licensees. Key provisions include defining an emergency order as an immediate license suspension without a hearing when public safety is at risk, requiring a majority board vote to discipline a licensee, and establishing more comprehensive standards for massage therapy schools, instructors, and establishments. The bill also strengthens regulations around massage therapy advertising, outcall services, and inspections, with a particular focus on preventing potential sexual misconduct and protecting public safety. The changes aim to provide more robust oversight of massage therapy professionals and businesses in Alabama, with the new licensing board gaining full independence by October 1, 2026.