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Bill

HF 362

Licensure for massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy established, fees established, criminal penalties provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Backer and 22 co-sponsors

Establishes state licensure and oversight for massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy, with standards, fees, penalties, and enforcement to protect public safety.

Author added Freiberg
#healthandhealthdepartment #licenses #occupationsandprofessions
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 362

Summary of HF 362 (2025-2026) – Licensure for Massage Therapy and Asian Bodywork Therapy; Fees; Penalties; Appropriations

Purpose and Intent

HF 362 establishes a formal licensure framework for two health-related professional fields in Minnesota:
- Massage therapy
- Asian bodywork therapy

The bill creates state oversight, credential requirements, disciplinary standards, and a licensure process. It also sets forth fees, criminal penalties for violations, and appropriates funds to support implementation and ongoing administration.

Key Provisions and Changes

Licensure Framework

  • Establishes licensure requirements for:
    • Massage therapists
    • Asian bodywork therapists
  • Creates a state licensing board/authority or designates a regulatory structure to oversee these professions (exact organizational details would be defined in the statutory language).

Qualifications and Licensure Process

  • Sets basic eligibility criteria for licensure (e.g., education/training standards, scope of practice, exams, and background checks).
  • Outlines application procedures, renewal cycles, and continuing education requirements.
  • Provides for license issuance, probation, suspension, or revocation processes, including grounds for discipline (e.g., fraud, professional misconduct, unsafe practices).

Fees

  • Establishes application, license, renewal, and possible late fees applicable to massage therapy and Asian bodywork therapy licenses.
  • May include fee schedules segmented by practitioner type, license type, or facility affiliation (e.g., individual license vs. facility registration).

Criminal Penalties

  • Specifies penalties for practicing without a license or violating licensure provisions.
  • Potential penalties could include misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses, depending on the nature and severity of the violation and specified in the statute.

Enforcement and Discipline

  • Creates enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with licensure requirements.
  • Establishes a disciplinary framework with possible remedial actions (e.g., fines, license suspension, probation, or revocation) and a process for appeals.

Consumer Protections and Practice Standards

  • Sets minimum practice standards and scope of practice to protect public health and safety.
  • May include required disclosures to clients, record-keeping standards, hygiene and safety protocols, and supervision rules (if applicable for trainees).

Administrative and Appropriations Provisions

  • Authorizes the appropriation of funds to establish or support the licensure program, regulatory agency staffing, enforcement, and IT/recordkeeping systems.
  • May include implementation timelines and transitional provisions to license currently practicing individuals who meet established criteria.

Who Is Affected

  • Individuals practicing or seeking to practice massage therapy or Asian bodywork therapy in Minnesota (licensure and renewal requirements).
  • Employers, clinics, massage therapy businesses, and schools that provide training in massage or Asian bodywork modalities.
  • Regulatory and state agencies responsible for professional licensure and public protection.
  • Consumers/patients receiving massage or Asian bodywork therapy services, who would benefit from standardized qualifications and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced and referred to Health Finance and Policy early in the 2025 session; subsequent actions indicate progression and multiple authorship changes.
  • Final program implementation would depend on enacted language, including timelines for:
    • Development of licensing rules
    • Transition provisions for existing practitioners
    • Effective date of licensure requirements
    • Fee collection start dates
    • Post-implementation review and renewal cadence

Notable Context from Action History

  • The bill has multiple co-sponsors, indicating broad legislative interest.
  • The staged introduction and committee referrals suggest a comprehensive regulatory overhaul with planning for regulation, enforcement, and funding.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific sections you’re most interested in (e.g., fee structures, disciplinary procedures, or transition timelines) once the bill’s full text is available.

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

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