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
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 who have completed a somatic education training program approved 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.
