BILL NUMBER: SR 48INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senators Mendoza and Hill AUGUST 31, 2015 Relative to Massage Therapy Awareness Week. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, Massage therapy is beneficial to overall health and is increasingly part of integrated health care; and WHEREAS, Consumers are spending in excess of $12 billion to $17 billion annually on massage therapy, and more insurance companies are covering massage therapy; and WHEREAS, Therapeutic massage can benefit people of all ages; and WHEREAS, A growing body of clinical research shows that massage therapy is beneficial for a wide variety of health issues, including stress, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain, muscle injury and soreness, headaches, and maintaining good health; and WHEREAS, In order to ensure patient and public safety, California regulates the massage therapy profession, and certified massage therapists must comply with various legal requirements in order to practice, including completing a certain minimum number of hours of initial training and passing an examination; and WHEREAS, Massage therapists consistently provide consumer and professional education information on massage and help consumers and health professionals locate qualified massage therapists in their area; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims the week of October 25, 2015, to October 31, 2015, inclusive, as Massage Therapy Awareness Week in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.