By Pete Whitridge
As we continue our countdown to August 31, an interesting development just happened inmassage therapy legislation. The FSMTA (Florida State Massage Therapy Association) and our state lobbyists succeeded in their goal of having an updated and modernized Massage Practice Act passed during the 2021 legislative session. Here is a summary of the changes:
“HB 245 passed the (Florida) House on April 1, 2021, and subsequently passed the Senate onApril 27, 2021.
The bill expands the scope of practice for massage therapy by authorizing a massage therapist to perform a massage therapy assessment to determine the course of massage therapy treatment.
Current law authorizes a massage therapist to use his or her hand, foot, arm, or elbow during the course of massage therapy treatment. The bill authorizes a massage therapist to also use his or her knee during the course of massage therapy treatment.
The bill changes the term “massage” to “massage therapy” throughout statutes to standardize terminology.
The bill was approved by the Governor on June 21, 2021, the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2021.”
(Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/245/Analyses/h0245z1.PPH.PDF)
This terminology updates how LMT’s are referred to throughout all laws and rules governing our profession and is in line with our designation as licensed massage therapists.
If you’re interested in finding out more about these new changes and updates, please join us for an in-person Big 3 class on August 2 in downtown Gainesville. This 6 hour class will cover the required class material you need to complete your renewal requirements in Ethics, Prevention of Medical Errors, and Florida Laws and Rules Update. Please contact Lee at 772-979-5828 or bluemoonies@juno.com for more information.
