S-1647.2 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5621
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Agriculture & International Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Sheahan, Shin, Roach, Constantine, Patterson, Prentice, Thibaudeau and Kohl‑Welles)
READ FIRST TIME 02/23/01.
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. The board may adopt rules to implement this section.
(2) 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.
(3) A person licensed and endorsed under this section may hold themselves out as an animal massage practitioner.
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