I am a constituent in your district and writing to express my support for the amendment to HF 362/ SF 1131, which would establish optional state registration in lieu of mandatory licensure for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists practicing in Minnesota. These changes will mean:
<ul>
<li style="margin-left:1.5em;">Regulatory language standards remain intact.</li>
<li style="margin-left:1.5em;">Education and background check requirements stay the same.</li>
<li style="margin-left:1.5em;">Enforcement authority is preserved.</li>
<li style="margin-left:1.5em;">Registration would be voluntary rather than required.</li>
</ul>
Passage of HF 362/ SF 1131 would do the following: 
Provide increased public protection by implementing a process to address ethical violations, license revocations from another state, and convictions relevant to the practice of massage therapy and Asian bodyworktherapy.
Standardize education, provide uniformity for scope of practice and professional standards, and establish qualifications and competencies for entry-level practitioners.
Recognize massage therapy as a non-pharmacologic integrative health care option.
As your constituent, I urge you to support setting uniform standards and implementing enhanced consumer protections through licensure for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota.
Thank you for your consideration and service to our state!&nbsp;

Support HF 362/ SF 1131 - Licensing For Minnesota Massage Therapists

I am a constituent in your district and writing to express my support for HF 362/ SF 1131, which would establish optional state registration for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists practicing in Minnesota.

Forty-five states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. already require massage therapists to be licensed - and most regulate massage therapy as a healthcare profession. 

Passage of HF 362/ SF 1131 would do the following: 
Reduce administrative and financial burden by replacing the patchwork of city regulations currently in place, which require compliance with multiple city ordinances, and require multiple fees. Lack of state regulation, impedes portability and city reciprocity for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists practicing in more than one city.

Provide increased public protection by implementing a process to address ethical violations, license revocations from another state, and convictions relevant to the practice of massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy.

Standardize education, provide uniformity for scope of practice and professional standards, and establish qualifications and competencies for entry-level practitioners.

Recognize massage therapy as a non-pharmacologic integrative health care option.

As your constituent, I urge you to support setting uniform standards and implementing enhanced consumer protections through optional registration for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. Thank you for your consideration and service to our state!