HB228 Summary: Alabama Massage Therapy Licensure Act Amendments

• Removes requirement that Alabama massage therapy schools be accredited by the State Department of Education and allows board approval based on meeting minimum standards.

• Increases minimum supervised instruction hours for licensure from 500 to 650 hours and requires applicants to be 18 years old with high school diploma, subject to criminal background check (removes U.S. citizenship requirement).

• Changes penalty for violations from Class C misdemeanor to Class A misdemeanor and authorizes board to impose administrative fines up to $10,000.

• Modifies board operations by changing executive secretary title to executive director, providing board members $100 per day compensation, removing Governor oath filing requirements, and specifying excused absences for medical issues, family death, and board-approved conflicts.

• Increases various licensing fees (initial massage therapist license from $100 to $200, renewal from $100 to $300) and expands board authority to establish criteria for instructors and discretionary licensure of establishments.