_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
SENATE BILL 5621
_______________________________________________
AS
AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
Passed
Legislature - 2001 Regular Session
State
of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By
READ
FIRST TIME 02/23/01.
Authorizing animal massage.
AN
ACT Relating to animal therapy; amending RCW 18.108.010; adding a new section
to chapter 18.108 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. The
legislature finds that massage therapists have contributed significantly to the
welfare of humans. The legislature also finds that massage therapists can have
a significant positive impact on the well-being of animals, especially in the
equine industry.
It
is the legislature's intent to have the Washington state board of massage adopt
rules under their current authority providing for an endorsement for currently
licensed massage practitioners to perform animal massage upon completion of
certain training courses.
Sec.
2. RCW
18.108.010 and 1997 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 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.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. A
new section is added to chapter 18.108 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
A massage practitioner licensed under this chapter may apply for an endorsement
as a small or large animal massage practitioner upon completion of one hundred
hours of training in either large or small animal massage. Training must
include animal massage techniques, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, first aid
care, and proper handling techniques.
(2)
An applicant who applies for an endorsement within the first year following the
effective date of this act may submit documentation of a minimum of fifty hours
of training with up to fifty hours of practical experience or continuing
education, or a combination thereof, to fulfill the requirements of this
section.
(3)
Massage therapy of animals does not include diagnosis, prognosis, or all
treatment of diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries of animals.
For the purposes of this section, massage for therapeutic purposes may be
performed solely for purposes of patient well-being.
(4)
A person licensed and endorsed under this section may hold themselves out as an
animal massage practitioner.
(5)
The board may adopt rules to implement this section upon consultation with the
Washington state veterinary board of governors and licensed massage
practitioners with training in animal massage.
