STAND. COM. REP. NO. 164-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 1966

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Intrastate Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1966 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MASSAGE THERAPY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt persons who specialize in only foot, hand, and outer ear manipulation, including the practice of reflexology and foot zone therapy, from the requirements of licensure for massage therapists.

Many concerned individuals supported this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Regulated Industries Complaints Office and Board of Massage Therapy provided comments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Exempting establishments that specialize in only foot, hand, and outer ear manipulation from requirements to obtain a massage therapy establishment license to practice; provided that the clients remain fully clothed;

(2) Providing that persons and establishments exempt from licensure shall also be exempted from the advertising regulations for massage therapists;

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intrastate Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1966, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1966, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intrastate Commerce,

____________________________

TAKASHI OHNO, Chair