SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1387

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Health & Long-Term Care, March 24, 1995

Title:  An act relating to massage practitioners.

Brief Description:  Revoking the license of a massage practitioner who has been convicted of prostitution.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Representatives Delvin, Dellwo, Carrell, Cody, Morris, Padden, Hickel, Sommers, Conway, Brown, Mason, B. Thomas, Dickerson, Boldt, Campbell, Carlson, Patterson, Kessler, Mielke, Mulliken, Honeyford, Hargrove, L. Thomas, Kremen, Scott and Huff).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  3/21/95, 3/24/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; Deccio, Fairley, Franklin and Wood.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:   Massage practitioners are licensed under the Department of Health and subject to the state's disciplinary process for health care practitioners mandated by the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA).  Under the provisions of the UDA, the Secretary of Health has the authority to revoke the license of a massage practitioner who is convicted of prostitution.  License revocation is only possible after an extensive disciplinary process outlined in the UDA.

Summary of Bill: The Secretary of Health must automatically revoke the license of a massage practitioner convicted of violating the state or local offense of prostitution.  Revocation is automatic upon receipt of the court documents reflecting such a conviction, and holds even if the conviction is under appeal.  If the conviction is overturned, the license is reinstated.  A license may not be granted to any person who is convicted of a prostitution offense within the previous eight years.

It is unlawful to advertise, in display advertisements, the practice of massage without printing in the advertisement the license number of the massage practitioner.  

License fees imposed on massage practitioners by counties, cities and towns must not exceed the licensing administrative costs.  

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill is necessary to eliminate illegal activity which degrades the entire massage profession.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Lori Bielinski, Washington Massage Practitioners Association (pro).