S-3783.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6698

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senators Thibaudeau and Deccio

Read first time 01/26/2002.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Exempting reflexologists from regulation as massage practitioners.

    AN ACT Relating to exempting reflexologists from regulation as massage practitioners; amending RCW 18.108.010 and 18.108.050; and adding a new section to chapter 18.108 RCW.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 18.108.010 and 2001 c 297 s 2 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 purposes.  Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and ((facial)) fascial 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.

    (6) "Animal massage practitioner" means an individual with a license to practice massage therapy in this state with additional training in animal therapy.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 18.108.050 and 1997 c 297 s 3 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 who have completed a somatic education training program approved by the secretary;

(7) Persons who limit their practice to reflexology.  For purposes of this chapter, the practice of reflexology is limited to the hands, feet, and outer ears.  The services provided by those who limit their practice to reflexology are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:

    The department of health shall review the implementation of this act and make recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2005, regarding regulatory changes to this act.

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