The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services. The keyword,
summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative
intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SB 221 Original 2025 Regular Session Mizell
Present law provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of massage therapy.
Present law requires the La. Board of Massage Therapy (board) to develop a process to review all
complaints made to the board.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the board to conduct an unannounced, in-person
inspection by the board of all complaints alleging illicit activity at a massage therapy establishment,
within 10 days of receiving the complaint.
Present law requires the board to receive a criminal background check for any person who is licensed
or is applying to be licensed with the board.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the board to receive a criminal background check for
any person who is applying for a massage therapist establishment license with the board.
Present law allows the board to require any renewing applicants, licensed prior to April 1, 2022, to
submit to a state and federal background check.
Proposed law requires all renewing applicants to submit a state and federal background check.
Proposed law requires the board to submit an annual report to the legislature, no later than March
1st of each year with the following information:
(1)The total number of complaints received.
(2)A summary of each complaint received including the nature of the violation.
(3)A summary of complaints involving repeated offenders.
(4)The total number of all inspections conducted during the preceding calendar year.
(5)The total number of active licenses of both individual massage therapist and massage
therapist establishments and the number of new licenses, renewals, suspensions, and
revocations.
Proposed law provides for each complaint investigated and resolved, the report shall include: (1)A description of the outcome or resolution.
(2)Results of the complaint.
(3)Name and title of the board member or investigator assigned to handle the complaint, as well
as the date the complaint was filed and the date the investigation commenced and was
resolved.
(4)Any administrative or legal action arising out of a complaint.
Effective August 1, 2025.
(Amends R.S. 37:3555(A)(11) and (14)(a) and 3561(A)(2)(b); adds R.S.37:3569)