H-2474

AN ACT Relating to updating terminology in chapter 18.108 RCW; amending RCW 18.108.005, 18.108.010, and 18.108.050; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.108.005 and 1987 c 443 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds it necessary to license the practice of massage and massage therapy in order to protect the public health and safety. It is the legislature's intent that only individuals who meet and maintain minimum standards of competence and conduct may provide services to the public. This chapter shall not be construed to require or prohibit individual or group policies or contracts of an insurance carrier, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization from providing benefits or coverage for services and supplies provided by a person ((~~registered or certified~~)) licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.108.010 and 1991 c 3 s 252 are each amended to read as follows:

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following meanings shall apply:

(1) "Board" means the Washington state board of massage.

(2) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic or licensed massage educational purposes. Massage therapy includes ((~~massage~~)) techniques such as ((~~methods of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement,~~)) tapping, compressions, ((~~vibration,~~)) friction, ((~~nerve stokes, and~~)) Swedish gymnastics or movements ((~~either by manual means, as they relate to massage~~)), gliding, kneading, shaking, and facial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation.

(3) "Massage practitioner" means an individual licensed under this chapter.

(4) "Secretary" means the secretary of health or the secretary's designee.

(5) Massage business means the operation of a business where massages are given.

Sec. 3. RCW 18.108.050 and 1995 c 198 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) An individual giving massage to members of his or her immediate family;

(2) The practice of a profession by individuals who are licensed, certified, or registered under other laws of this state and who are performing services within their authorized scope of practice;

(3) Massage practiced at the athletic department of any institution maintained by the public funds of the state, or any of its political subdivisions;

(4) Massage practiced at the athletic department of any school or college approved by the department by rule using recognized national professional standards;

(5) Students enrolled in an approved massage school, approved program, or approved apprenticeship program, practicing massage techniques, incidental to the massage school or program and supervised by the approved school or program. Students must identify themselves as a student when performing massage services on members of the public. Students may not be compensated for the massage services they provide;

(6) Individuals engaged in the practice of somatic education through nationally recognized organizations as determined by the secretary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department of health shall monitor the effects, if any, on the public health and safety of the exemption provided in RCW 18.108.050(6). The department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 1999, any instances of somatic educators violating RCW 18.108.085(3) with recommendations, if any, for regulatory or statutory changes.