| Licensing Bill
by Nancy Porambo, President
 Over
12 years ago, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), PA Chapter,
started licensure of massage therapy in the State. During this time, the
AMTA
helped and began their journey to organize the grassroots organization,
Pennsylvania Licensure Coalition (PaLC), with the primary goal of writing
a bill that would
define scope of practice for practitioners of massage
therapy, somatic practices and reflexology.
Over the years, several drafts of the bill were introduced and died.
After numerous attempts at licensing with our own board, the AMTA sought
after a State regulating
board that would compliment the practice of massage
therapy, somatic practices and reflexology and allow for autonomy of practice.
The Nurses Association agreed
to have these practices housed under their
board, however, the somatic practitioners and reflexologists decided not
to be represented under the Nurses Board and
requested exclusionary paragraphs.
The bill then became a massage therapy bill.
Our current bill, H.B. 1643, has been amended to have their own regulating
board rather than be represented by the Nurses Board. This is good news!
The
Department of State and the Administration decided that because of
the large numbers of nurses and dietitians currently included under the
Nursing Board, adding
massage therapy would substantial slow-down the
processing of licenses for nurses and dietitians. We, therefore, sought
to receive a positive nod from the Governor's
office to have our own board,
which we did!
To be informed of the latest development concerning our bill, we urge you to read the updates posted in this site.
Rally Updates
"Exhilarating comes close to describing the scene of over 200 practitioners and students “Rally” at the State Capitol on October 26, 2005 to promote massage therapy licensure! What a
wonderful success! The event was broadcast on PCN the evening of the event and was impressive to hear the loud cry of therapists shouting “Support Massage Now!” and vote “YES, to
Massage Therapy Licensure” as they thrust signs bearing the same slogan high into the air! " For more information please access this document (PDF)
  
Updates For the Licensing Bill
YOU CAN ACCESS THIS DOCUMENT (PDF) FOR LICENSING BILL UPDATES.
"National Massage Therapy Awareness Week" bill introduced. You can access the details in this document (PDF)
Making Law In Pennsylvania
" It is a meticulous process and for good reason." Visit the following links to find out "how a legislative system developed centuries ago still
works today, both for lawmakers and the Pennsylvanians who send them to Harrisburg."
Biography of a Bill (PDF)
Details of the Life Cycle of Fictional House Bill 652 (PDF) This will give you an idea of the life cycle of a bill.
It is only through the combined efforts of our membership that our voices can be heard! |
