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AL SB253
Bill
AI Summary
SB253 Summary
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Reconstitutes the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy as the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board under temporary jurisdiction of the Board of Nursing until October 1, 2026, with the Board of Nursing's Executive Officer or designee performing executive director duties.
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Defines "emergency order" as immediate license suspension without hearing when public safety is at immediate risk, and clarifies individuals practicing under temporary permits are exempt from regulation.
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Changes the board's annual meeting month from October to November and requires a majority vote of board members to discipline, suspend, or revoke a licensee.
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Establishes minimum 650 hours of instruction for massage therapist licensure (including specific anatomy, massage therapy, business, and elective hours) and requires criminal background checks via fingerprinting for applicants.
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Authorizes the board to establish and collect reasonable fees by rule and provides for emergency orders suspending massage therapy establishment operations with specific enforcement procedures, fines up to $1,000 per day for violations, and court remedies.
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Becomes effective June 1, 2025.
Legislative Description
Massage Therapy Licensing Board temporarily under Board of Nursing; authorize Executive Director of the Board of Nursing, or designee to perform certain functions; define and provide for emergency order; clarify status of practice with a temporary permit; provide for annual meeting; require a majority vote to discipline licensee; provide further for the qualifications for licensing and the contents of an application; outcall massage therapy services and inspections of massage therapy establishments; to authorize the board, by rule, to establish and collect reasonable fees; to provide further for investigations, discipline, and fingerprinting of licensees and applicants for licensing; and to provide further for massage therapy schools.
Occupational Licensing Boards
Last Action
Enacted
5/14/2025