Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Ecology Committee

SSB 5621

Brief Description:  Authorizing animal massage.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Sheahan, Shin, Roach, Constantine, Patterson, Prentice, Thibaudeau and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Authorizes licensed massage practitioners to apply for endorsement as large or small animal massage practitioners.

$Authorizes the Washington State Board of Massage to adopt rules for endorsement of licensed massage practitioners as large or small animal massage practitioners.

$Requires licensed massage practitioners to complete 100 hours of training in large or small animal massage before applying for the endorsement.

Hearing Date:  3/22/01

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786‑7156).

Background: 

The practice of veterinary medicine is defined in statute to include a variety of activities, such as: diagnosing animal diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries; prescribing or administering drugs or treatments; performing operations, manipulations, or application of any apparatus for cure, amelioration, correction, or reduction of any animal disease, deformity, defect, wound, or injury. Education, training, and examination requirements for licensing as a veterinarian are specified in statutes and rules of the Veterinary Board of Governors (Board). The Board also administers certificate of registration programs for veterinary technicians and veterinary medication clerks, who work under the supervision of licensed veterinarians.

Massage practitioners in Washington must be licensed.  The Washington State Board of Massage administers massage practitioner licensing and adopts rules regarding standards for educational programs, examination, and licensing.  Licensing is required for performing or offering services incorporating terms or designations implying a massage technique or method, including but not limited to massage therapy, massage technology, myotherapy, therapeutic massage, or body therapy.  To qualify for licensing as a massage practitioner, a person must be at least 18 years old and have successfully completed: (1)  a course of study in an approved massage program or approved apprenticeship program; and (2) an examination administered or approved by the Washington State Board of Massage.

Summary of Bill: 

A licensed massage practitioner may apply for an endorsement as a small or large animal massage practitioner.  An "animal massage practitioner" is defined to mean a person licensed to practice massage therapy with additional training in animal therapy.  Animal massage therapy does not include diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of animal diseases, deformities, defects, wounds, or injuries.

To apply for the animal massage endorsement, a licensed massage practitioner must have completed 100 hours of training in either large or small animal massage. This training must include animal massage techniques, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, first aid care, and proper handling techniques. The Washington State Board of Massage may adopt rules for endorsement of licensed massage practitioners as small or large animal massage practitioners. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 20, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.