HB892: HB892 Professions and businesses; prohibit massage therapy businesses from operating during certain set hours

26 LC 56 0658S The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities offered the following substitute to HB 892: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 24A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to massage therapy practice generally, so as to prohibit massage therapy businesses2 from operating during certain set hours; to revise definitions; to provide for related matters;3 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Article 1 of Chapter 24A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to7 massage therapy practice generally, is amended by revising paragraphs (5) through (12) of8 Code Section 43-24A-3, relating to definitions, as follows:9 "(5) 'Entity' means the owner or operator of a business where m assage therapy for10 compensation is performed.11 (6)(5) 'License' means a valid and current certificate of registration issued by the board12 pursuant to this chapter to practice massage therapy.13 (7)(6) 'Licensee' means any person holding a license.14 (8)(7) 'Massage therapist' means a person licensed under this chapte r a s a m a s s a g e15 therapist who administers or teaches massage or massage therapy for compensation.16 - 1 - 26 LC 56 0658S (9)(8) 'Massage therapy' or 'massage' means the application of a sys tem of structured17 touch, pressure, movement, and holding to the soft tissue of th e body in which the18 primary intent is to enhance or restore health and well-being. Such term includes19 complementary methods, including without limitation cupping the rapy, taping20 techniques, the external application of water, superficial heat, superficial cold, lubricants,21 salt scrubs, or other topical preparations and the use of comme rcially available22 electromechanical devices which do not require the use of transcutaneous electrodes and23 which mimic or enhance the actions possible by the hands; the t erm also includes24 determining whether massage therapy is appropriate or contraind icated, or whether25 referral to another health care provider is appropriate. Such term shall not include the use26 of ultrasound, fluidotherapy, laser, and other methods of deep thermal modalities.27 (10)(9) 'Massage therapy business' means an entity where the practice of or engagement28 in massage therapy is performed by a licensed massage therapist.29 (11)(10) 'Person' means a natural person only.30 (12)(11) 'Provisionally permitted massage therapist' means a person issued a provisional31 permit under this chapter."32 SECTION 2.33 Said article is further amended by adding a new subsection to C ode Section 43-24A-15,34 relating to unlawful acts, to read as follows:35 "(g) Beginning on August 1, 2026, it shall be a violation of this chapter for any person or36 entity to perform massage therapy between 1:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M."37 SECTION 3.38 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.39 - 2 -