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Bill

HB 975

Health Occupations - Massage Therapy - Advertising

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 12 co-sponsors

HB 975 establishes Maryland advertising standards for licensed massage therapy businesses to protect consumers and prevent unlicensed services from marketing illegally.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 23
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Bill Summary · HB 975

Legislative bill overview

HB 975 regulates advertising practices for licensed massage therapy businesses in Maryland, establishing standards for how massage therapists and establishments can market their services. The bill passed the Maryland House with unanimous support (132-0) and received favorable amendments from the Health Committee.

Why is this important

Massage therapy advertising has historically been associated with unlicensed and illegal services, creating enforcement challenges for regulators and consumer confusion about legitimate practitioners. Clear advertising standards help protect consumers from fraudulent services while legitimizing the licensed massage therapy profession and making it easier for licensed practitioners to compete fairly.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Restrictions on advertising language or imagery could be challenged as limiting commercial speech rights, depending on how the bill defines prohibited content
  • Enforcement burden: Determining what constitutes misleading advertising versus legitimate professional promotion may prove difficult for state licensing boards with limited resources
  • Economic impact on small businesses: New compliance requirements could impose additional administrative costs on independent massage therapists, particularly solo practitioners unfamiliar with advertising regulations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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