Massage therapy clarification sought

The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony Feb. 6 on a bill meant to clarify the state’s definition of and licensing requirements for massage therapy.

LB315, introduced by Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial, would clarify the definition of massage therapy in state law.

Under the bill, any person engaging in the physical, mechanical or electrical manipulation of soft tissue for compensation in Nebraska would be considered to be practicing massage therapy, regardless of how the service is described. The individual also would be required to be licensed under the state’s Massage Therapy Practice Act.

The bill would not alter current exemptions from the definition of massage therapy, including the use of procedures for which a license to practice medicine, surgery, chiropractic or podiatry is required.

Christensen said escort services advertise non-therapeutic massage services in an attempt to subvert the state’s licensing requirements, which harms the reputation of legitimate massage therapists.

Al Riskowski, executive director of the Nebraska Family Council, testified in support of the bill, saying it would close a loophole in state law that is being exploited by escort services without harming legal massage providers.

“We feel this will give police one more way to evaluate the legitimate and illegitimate (operators) in this area,” he said.

No opposition testimony was given and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.