CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

 

                        SENATE BILL 6698

 

 

                   Chapter 277, Laws of 2002

 

 

                        57th Legislature

                      2002 Regular Session

 

 

MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS--REFLEXOLOGY EXEMPTION

 

 

 

                    EFFECTIVE DATE:  6/13/02

 

Passed by the Senate February 18, 2002

  YEAS 40   NAYS 8

 

 

               BRAD OWEN

President of the Senate

 

Passed by the House March 8, 2002

  YEAS 96   NAYS 0

             CERTIFICATE

 

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is  SENATE BILL 6698 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

 

 

 

              FRANK CHOPP

Speaker of the

      House of Representatives

            TONY M. COOK

                            Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved March 29, 2002 Place Style On Codes above, and Style Off Codes below.   

                                FILED          

 

 

           March 29, 2002 - 4:12 p.m.

 

 

 

              GARY LOCKE

Governor of the State of Washington

                 Secretary of State

                 State of Washington


          _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6698

          _______________________________________________

 

             Passed Legislature - 2002 Regular Session

 

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.


    Passed the Senate February 18, 2002.

    Passed the House March 8, 2002.

Approved by the Governor March 29, 2002.

    Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 29, 2002.