SB137 Summary

• Terminates the existing Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and creates the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board effective June 1, 2024, under temporary oversight of the Board of Nursing until October 1, 2026.

• Establishes a nine-member board appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House, with requirements for geographic representation and expertise including one member with extensive knowledge of sex trafficking.

• Requires massage therapists to complete minimum 650 hours of instruction including anatomy, physiology, basic massage therapy, and business/ethics training, and pass a national or state examination.

• Prohibits massage therapists from operating in sexually-oriented businesses, advertising sexual services, and allows board authority to suspend or revoke licenses for fraud, unprofessional conduct, sexual activity with clients, or criminal convictions.

• Establishes licensing fees ($100 for initial therapist license, $100 for establishment license), continuing education requirements, and subjects the board to the Alabama Sunset Law with automatic termination on October 1, 2026, unless renewed.