It is hereby declared that the business of operating a massage business,
as defined in this article, is a business affecting the public health, safety
and general welfare.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
MASSAGE
When used throughout this chapter, shall mean singly or any combination
of massage, somatic therapy or oriental massage.
MASSAGE AND/OR SOMATIC THERAPIES
Any system or activity of structured touch which includes, but is
not limited to, holding, applying pressure, stroking, kneading, positioning
and mobilizing soft tissue of the body by manual techniques and the use of
visual, kinesthetic, auditory and palpating skills to access the body for
purposes of applying therapeutic massage, bodywork or somatic principles.
Such application(s) may include but are not limited to, the use of therapies
such as heliotherapy or hydrotherapy, the use of moist hot and cold external
applications, external application of herbal or topical preparations not classified
as prescription drugs, analysis of posture, movement and neural myofacial
education and education in self-care and stress management. This definition
shall not include the providing of chiropractic and medical services by a
licensed professional.
MASSAGE AND/OR SOMATIC THERAPIST
A person who practices or administers massage and/or somatic therapy
for any form of consideration. Massage and/or somatic therapist shall not
diagnose or treat classified diseases, nor practice spinal or other joint
therapy.
No part of any quarters of any massage establishment shall be used for
or connected with any bedroom or sleeping quarters, nor shall any person sleep
in such massage business except for limited periods incidental to and directly
related to a massage. This provision shall not preclude the location of a
massage business as a separate quarters of a building housing other businesses
or domiciles.
The license fee shall be as provided in Chapter
101, Fees.
All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire at the end
of the calendar year in which said license was issued. In the event that the
issuance is made for a part of a calendar year, the full license fee is required
without any proration.
The conviction of any applicant or licensee of any criminal offense
related to the licensee's business, or any sex-related offense, shall
constitute a forfeiture of his or her license, and said license shall be immediately
revoked. The conviction of any applicant or licensee of any sanitary code
violation may result in forfeiture of his or her license and said license
may be deemed revoked.