Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla’s measure, The Massage Therapy Reform Act of 2014, was approved today by the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development on Monday.
This bill, which also includes joint authorship from Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez and Assemblymember Chris Holden, is a major reform measure that will overhaul California’s existing massage therapy law.
“This monumental reform is long overdue and seeks to address multiple issues plaguing the massage therapy industry that affect communities all over California where illegitimate massage businesses exist,” said Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord). “AB 1147 will put land use authority back in the hands of local governments, where it belongs, so human trafficking and other illicit activity can be eradicated.”
Assemblymember Gomez adds, “Neighborhoods and communities are demanding that their voices be heard regarding the appropriateness of where massage parlors will be located and how many of them will be allowed. The state’s attempt at regulating these parlors has been a failure and it’s time to return these decisions to local government.”
“I am pleased to be a joint-author of AB 1147 as we work to professionalize the massage therapy industry and reinforce local control over businesses,” said Assemblymember Holden. “For many months, city officials have been complaining that their hands are tied when it comes to regulating massage business – legitimate or otherwise. The Massage Therapy Act removes restrictions on local communities and re-establishes city control over zoning and regulations.”
AB 1147 specifically returns important land use authority to cities and counties; reconstitutes the board of the California Massage Therapy County (CAMTC); reinforces the authority of local massage ordinances; provides local governments with options for revoking the registration of establishments that violate the law; raise professional standards for massage professionals; enhances CAMTC’s discipline authority; and requires the certification of massage establishment operators.
This bill will be heard next in Senate Appropriations Committee.
{ 32 comments }
Neat?
Does this mean no more “happy endings?”
OK we are closing fire stations, they want to raise our taxes again, we have boys in the girls bathrooms and Bonilla does this kind of stuff.
Thanks for nothing Big Bottom.
Does the Berkeley Barb still print all those ads for massage parlors?
“monumental reform”?!?
I was not aware our massage therapy industry was in such dire shape our fine leaders deemed it necessary to drop everything big they were working on and create more micro-legislation. Imagine my embarrassment.
Certain people in Claycord are devastated that they will have to get a cab ride to find their social satisfactions.
“If I had a hammer….”
Go Susan Bonilla,
Susan Bonilla can go take a long walk off a short bridge.
How much is this going to cost local governments??? Will there be another fee assessed to legitimate therapists?
The only thing Democrats know is how to spend your money for more “great ideas” because “it’s for your own good”.
wow no jobs no police or fire roads bad crime running wild …..and the bonilla comes up with this to secure her spot …….wow you voters must be real easy to impress ……next will be a bill to reduce the amount of dog waste on peoples grass…or be fined …….go out and re-elect your favorite dead beat…..toodles
The Democrats have found a way to tax “massages”… LOL
Go Mexifornia!
And all Republicans do is take your money
and keep it.
“I was not aware our massage therapy industry was in such dire shape…”
It’s a dirty little business employing “sex workers”, and “happy endings” for profit. Competes with “free” services, by the constituents, of the constituents and for the constituents.
Actually, Bonilla is dumping the management of neighborhood sex shops to local government…a Tea Party/Libertarian ideal.
“For many months, city officials have been complaining that their hands are tied when it comes to regulating massage business – legitimate or otherwise. The Massage Therapy Act removes restrictions on local communities and re-establishes city control over zoning and regulations.”
The Political lens is useless when used as a spoon.
The local citizens are going to put a lot of pressure to get them closed down, no excuses now.
A Democrat (liberal) is someone who believes he owes a deep and abiding debt to his fellow man. A debt he intends to repay with your money.
Oh I needed a good laugh….loll things considered THIS is the priority
I’ve been a massage therapist for 21 years and despite my easy-going nature, and sense of humor, I find the “Happy Ending” jokes exhaustingly offensive. The cross references made between sex workers and legitimate massage therapists are perpetuated by continued penalization of the wrong group.
Massage therapists are required to pay higher fees, and jump through hoops just to maintain our good reputations while the sex workers will continue to camouflage themselves, among us.
I, like all other massage therapists I know, love my work. My job is to help people heal, to connect with them in kindness, to assist them with their health and well-being, and I deserve to be respected for it.
I’m tired of the jokes, tired of being punished for the “misdeeds” of others, and so very tired of the backward, ignorant approach taken by legislation.
Nothing will change until prostitution is legalized and regulated.
Those women deserve respect, as well, but there is no reason to throw us all into the same category.
This woman was elected by the unions. She does silly things at the behest of the SF crowd and the unions. Anything accomplished for her constituents is incidental.
To the moron brigade: This has nothing to do with raising taxes.
“Heh, Heh, Heh, #16 said Penal….Heh a Heh, Heh.
Jill,
Legitimate massage therapists are completely supportive of the Bonilla legislation. It clears the field of the illegal operators; separates the catagories.
It produces local control to EXCISE the “pleasure palaces” and thereby protect and support a fine medical services profession.
‘Boom boom” and “chop chop” are not therapy…they are illegal entertainment.
I hope the massage parlor in the Antioch Mall can stay in business. Been a long time since I was even over there so they might be gone by now anyhow.
Booooo!
I don’t know where they expect all the deviants to go if they crack down on all the willing participants involved in prostitution and happy ending massage joints. Rape and molestation? Sweet….
“AB 1147 will put land use authority back in the hands of local governments, where it belongs, so human trafficking and other illicit activity can be eradicated.”
and gun stores, liquor stores, bingo parlors … AB1147 gives local governments the power to shut down any business that the local politicians choose. I guess due process and eminent domain are interfering with political power again ….
“The state’s attempt at regulating these parlors has been a failure and it’s time to return these decisions to local government.”
as if the local governments will be any more successful than state or federal government attempts? says who?
I have been working with a couple of businesses on Clayton Rd and compiling info. It is amazing how many massage places are on Clayton, next to businesses that don’t like it. There is actually a website that will tell you where to go for a happy ending and you would be amazed how many are in each surrounding cities. The clue is the cheap price and truck parking is mentioned. Info is going to be given to the Chief of Police. If he can get rid of gambling places then this should now be easier and will please many small business owners.
If you think about it R or D, no business wants this next to them. I have had some tell me they will move out if it’s not taken care of soon.
When I was a kid, prostitutes advertised “French Lessons”.
Others masqueraded as “Escorts”.
Here and now, they pretend to be masseuses, giving the massage therapists a bad name.
When they are driven out of that (pretend) field, they will find some other code-word to advertise their wares.
It’s not fair to the legitimate therapists. Massage therapists do for muscles what chiropractors do for bones – there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s beneficial.
Don’t penalize the real therapists while cracking down on prostitution.
If she is so worried about sex why did she vote to let boys into girls locker rooms?
Answer: Because she is not too bright.
On another note, I need a massage.
“AB 1147 will put land use authority back in the hands of local governments, where it belongs…”
I do not want a happy ending from our local government.
There are already laws against the illicit places. Just effing enforce them and leave the rest of us alone.
Will this apply to shops selling medicinal pot?
Hey Susan, fix the damn roads.
this should come at no surprise …
when ever politicians get involved ….
there are never any happy endings.
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