HB3537 Summary

• Massage therapists must report suspicious bruising observed on a massage recipient on more than one occasion to law enforcement as suspected domestic abuse.

• Law enforcement shall follow up with the suspected victim to determine if the bruising is related to abuse and inform them of their rights; the victim decides whether charges are brought.

• A court, after notice and hearing, determines if a person is a domestic abuser based on a preponderance of the evidence standard.

• Persons found to be domestic abusers are subject to immediate psychiatric evaluation and detainment until evaluation is completed; courts may order mandatory inpatient de-escalation skills training before the abuser returns home.

• Effective January 1, 2020; amends the Massage Licensing Act to require massage therapists to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements.