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Therapist licensure proposed

Published (3/4/2010)
By Lauren Radomski
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Lawmakers are revisiting a controversial proposal to register massage therapists with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) sponsors HF1503, which would create a statewide system for registering massage therapists and administering disciplinary action in the case of misconduct. Registration would be optional, and therapists who choose to register would be exempt from the fees cities charge to practice within their boundaries.

Speaking to the House Licensing Division Feb. 25, Abeler said the bill would empower massage therapists by giving them a state credential. It would also give consumers more information about practitioners they choose to visit.

The division approved Abeler’s bill and sent it to the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, which gave its approval March 2. The legislation was sent to the House Commerce and Labor Committee. A companion, SF1233, sponsored by Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls), awaits action by the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee.

Minnesota is one of seven states without some form of statewide registration or licensure for massage therapists, said Charles Sawyer, senior vice president of Northwestern Health Sciences University. His institution supports the bill “not because it’s the ideal or perfect bill or that the public is at grave risk without it, but because it is a needed, logical and evolutionary step for a rapidly growing health profession.”

Opponents said massage therapists are already governed by legislation passed in 1999.

“This committee and this Legislature are not charged with recognition or acknowledgement of professions,” said Gregory Schmidt, president of the Minnesota Natural Health Legal Reform Project. “…This proposal is a solution looking for a problem. There is no issue of need.”

Nancy Hone, president of the Natural Health Practitioners of Minnesota, is concerned voluntary registration could lead to mandated licensure. She foresees cities passing ordinances to allow only registered therapists to practice in their communities.

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