Bill
Bill > SF2068
IA SF2068
IA SF2068A bill for an act relating to the licensure of massage establishments, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 2205.)
summary
Introduced
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
In Committee
01/20/2026
01/20/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the licensure of massage therapy establishments. Beginning July 1, 2027, the bill requires a massage therapy establishment, defined in the bill as a location where massage therapy is practiced, to obtain a license in order to operate. The bill requires an applicant to submit an application in a form prescribed by the board of massage therapy (board) and it must be accompanied by an application fee. The board may perform a sanitary inspection of a proposed establishment prior to issuing a license and biennially thereafter, or upon receipt of a complaint. The bill allows the board to deny an application if the applicant is a massage therapist who is not in good standing or holds a suspended license, or if the applicant is under criminal investigation or has a disqualifying criminal history, as described in the bill. The bill allows the board to revoke a license based on public complaint, upon receiving evidence of misconduct, including disqualifying criminal acts, or upon a finding that the application was fraudulent. The board may also take emergency action to suspend a license upon discovery of pending criminal charges against an establishment owner or officer. An establishment license is valid for two years and may be renewed. The bill requires an establishment to maintain certain records for three years, including information regarding massage therapists who have worked at the establishment and the clients to whom they have provided massage therapy. The bill also requires a person under investigation by a peace officer for the provision of illegal services to provide a copy of the establishment license, if applicable. A person who violates this provision of the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. The bill exempts certain people from the requirement to obtain an establishment license, including massage therapists providing massage therapy at a customer’s location, operators of devices such as massage chairs, certain licensed health care professionals, student clinics operated by a school of massage therapy, and sole practitioners. The bill defines “sole practitioner” as a massage therapist who provides massage therapy at a location over which the massage therapist exercises physical control and from which only the massage therapist offers and provides massage therapy. The bill requires the board to adopt rules to implement the bill. The rules shall include application, sanitation, building safety, record retention, inspection, and license transfer requirements.
AI Summary
This bill requires massage therapy establishments, defined as locations where massage therapy is practiced, to obtain a license from the board of massage therapy starting July 1, 2027, with exceptions for mobile massage therapists, massage chairs, licensed healthcare professionals, student clinics, and sole practitioners (defined as a single massage therapist controlling their own practice location). Applicants must submit a form and fee, and the board can conduct sanitary inspections before issuing a license and periodically thereafter, or if a complaint is received. Licenses can be denied if the applicant is a massage therapist not in good standing or with a suspended license, or if they have a disqualifying criminal history or are under criminal investigation, with specific examples of disqualifying crimes listed. The board can revoke a license for public complaints, misconduct, disqualifying criminal acts, or fraudulent applications, and can also temporarily suspend a license if an owner or officer faces pending criminal charges. Establishment licenses are valid for two years and renewable, and establishments must keep records of therapists and clients for three years. Individuals investigated by law enforcement for illegal services must provide their establishment license if applicable, and failure to do so is a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and fines. The bill also mandates the board to create rules for applications, sanitation, safety, record-keeping, inspections, and license transfers.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 2205. S.J. 220. (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2068 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2068.html |
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