Bill > S2444

This bill establishes a board of registration in bodywork therapy to regulate the practice of bodywork, which involves touch, words, or directed movement to affect the human energy system or acupoints, but excludes massage as defined by law, diagnosis of illness, prescription of drugs, or spinal manipulations. The bill requires bodywork therapists and establishments to be licensed, sets qualifications for applicants including age, education, professional references, and proof of liability coverage, and outlines disciplinary actions for violations, including potential license revocation for repeated insurance fraud. It also strengthens anti-human trafficking laws by allowing individuals whose participation in an offense was a result of being a victim of human trafficking to have their convictions vacated, establishes first-offender prevention programs for commercial sexual exploitation, mandates training for law enforcement, court personnel, educators, and healthcare professionals on identifying and responding to human trafficking, and requires public awareness campaigns and data collection on human trafficking crimes.