HB319 Summary

• Requires the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy to conduct criminal history background checks on all applicants for licensure and license renewal, with refusal to consent constituting grounds for denial.

• Establishes a board-set fee for criminal history checks and makes passing the check a requirement for licensure and renewal alongside passing the examination and paying applicable fees.

• Designates sexual activity with a client (including genital contact) within the therapist-client relationship as professional misconduct grounds for license suspension or revocation.

• Requires massage therapists to report in writing to the board within 30 days if they have reasonable belief another therapist engaged in sexual misconduct with a client, with penalties of up to $10,000 fine and/or license suspension for failure to report; mandatory suspension for three or more violations.

• Directs the board to refer all misconduct incidents to the local district attorney for investigation and prosecution.