SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5556

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 28, 1995

Title:  An act relating to massage practitioners.

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

Sponsors:  Senators C. Anderson, Long, Kohl, A. Anderson, Fairley, Sheldon, Prentice, Moyer and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care:  2/16/95, 2/28/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5556 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Quigley, Chair; Wojahn, Vice Chair; C. Anderson, Fairley, Franklin, Winsley and Wood.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Massage practitioners are licensed in Washington State, subject to the state's disciplinary process for health care practitioners under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  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 defined in the UDA.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Secretary of Health is given authority to immediately revoke the license of a massage practitioner for eight years upon a finding that the license holder is convicted of prostitution or an equivalent local ordinance.

License revocation is automatic even if the conviction of prostitution is under appeal, or the time period for appeal has not elapsed.  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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill did not state that license revocation is automatic even if the prostitution conviction is under appeal or the time period for appeal has elapsed.

Further, new language states that if the conviction is overturned, the license is reinstated.  Also, a license is not granted to anyone who is convicted of prostitution within the last eight years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is necessary to rid the profession of unsavory practitioners who damage the reputation of others.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Melanie Stewart, Massage Practitioners (pro); Dee Spice, DOH (pro).