[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Hempfield 2-28-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-3.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
Unless the particular provision or the context otherwise requires, the
definitions and provisions contained in this section shall govern the construction,
meaning and application of words and phrases used in this chapter.
Any person over 18 years of age, other than a massage therapist,
who renders any service in connection with the operation of a massage business
and receives compensation from the operator of the business or patrons.
The science and skill of diagnosis, prevention or treatment, in any
manner whatsoever, of disease or any ailment of the human body.
An individual who is authorized to practice some component of the
healing arts by a license, certificate or registration issued by a commonwealth-licensing
agency or board. The term includes, but is not limited to, a medical doctor,
an osteopathic physician, a chiropractor, or dentist, an optometrist, a pharmacist,
a physical therapist, a podiatrist, a professional nurse and a psychologist.
The application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement
and holding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent
is to enhance or restore health and wellbeing of the client, The term includes
the external application of water, heat, cold, lubricants or other topical
preparations, and electromechanical devices which mimic or enhance the actions
of the hands. The term does not include the diagnosis of illness or disease,
medical procedures, chiropractic adjustment, electrical stimulation, ultrasound
or prescription of medicines, for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry or other practice of the
healing arts is required.
A person who engages and administers massage or massage therapy.
Any individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association
or other legal entity.
Any school or institution of learning which has for its purpose the
teaching of the theory, method, profession or work of massage, which school
requires a resident course of study of not less than 600 hours before the
student shall be furnished with a diploma or certificate of graduation from
such school following the successful completion of such course of study or
learning.
The Township of Hempfield.
A.
Business license required. No person shall engage in
or carry on the business of massage or massage therapy unless a valid massage
business license has been issued by the Township of Hempfield, pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter, for each and every separate office or place
of business conducted by such person.
B.
Massage therapist license required. No person shall practice
massage or massage therapy as a massage therapist, employee or otherwise,
unless a valid and subsisting massage therapist license has been issued by
the Township of Hempfield pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
C.
In the event the massage therapy business is a sole proprietor
operated by a massage therapist, a single fee shall be charged for both the
business license and the massage therapist license. Further, in the event
that the principal owner of the business is also a massage therapist, a single
license shall be provided for both the business and the massage therapist.
However, all other employees of the business who are employed as massage therapists
shall have a separate license.
The initial license shall expire on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued and may he renewed only by making application as provided in §§ 56-3 and 56-4. Any person desiring a massage business license shall file a written application with the Township Code Enforcement Officer on a form to be furnished by the Township Code Enforcement Officer. The applicant shall accompany the application with a tender of the correct license fee as hereinafter provided and shall, in addition, furnish the following:
A.
The type of ownership of the business, i.e., whether
individual, partnership, corporation or otherwise.
B.
The name, style, and designation under which the business
or practice is to be conducted.
C.
The business address and all telephone numbers where
the business is to be conducted.
D.
A complete list of the names and residence addresses
of all massage therapists and employees in the business and the name and residence
addresses of the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation
of the business.
E.
The following personal information concerning the applicant,
if an individual; concerning each stockholder holding more than 10% of the
stock of the corporation, each officer and each director, if the applicant
is a corporation; concerning the partners, including limited partners, if
the applicant is a partnership; and concerning the manager or other person
principally in charge of the operation of the business:
(1)
The name, complete residence address and residence telephone
numbers.
(2)
The two previous addresses immediately prior to the present
address of the applicant.
(3)
Written proof of age.
(4)
Height, weight, color of hair, eyes and sex.
(5)
Two front-face portrait photographs (at least two inches
by two inches in size), taken within 30 days of the date of the application.
(6)
The massage or similar business history and experience,
including, but not limited to, whether or not such person, in previously operating
in this Township or another municipality or state under license(s), has had
such license or licenses denied, revoked or suspended and the reason therefor,
and the business activities or occupations subsequent to such action of denial,
suspension or revocation.
(7)
All criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic
violations, fully disclosing the jurisdiction in which convicted and the offense
for which convicted and the circumstances thereof
(8)
A complete set of fingerprints, taken by the Pennsylvania
State Police or other law enforcement entity.
(9)
A diploma, certificate or other written proof of graduation
from a recognized school, as defined herein, by the person who shalt be directly
responsible for the operation and management of the massage business. Provided,
however, that any massage therapist who is practicing massage therapy within
the corporate limits of the Township of Hempfield as of the date of the adoption
of this chapter shall be required to have a minimum of 300 hours of course
study at a recognized school.
F.
Such other information and identification as shall be
deemed necessary by the Township Code Enforcement Officer to discover the
truth of the matters hereinbefore required to be set forth in the application.
G.
Authorization for the Township of Hempfield, its agents
and employees to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth
of the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications of the
applicant for the license. The authorization provided for herein shall terminate
at the time the license is issued. All information obtained pursuant to this
section shall be deemed confidential and shall not be considered a matter
of public record nor shall the same be divulged to any individuals other than
law enforcement official officers who have requested the same.
H.
The names and addresses of three adult residents of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who will serve as character references. These
references must be persons other than relatives and business associates.
I.
Written declaration by the applicant, under penalty of
perjury, that the foregoing information contained in the application is true
and correct, said declaration being duly dated and signed in the Township.
Any person desiring a massage therapist's license shall file a
written application with the Township Code Enforcement Officer on a form to
be furnished by the Township Code Enforcement Officer. The applicant shall
tender with the application the correct license fee as hereinafter provided
and shall, in addition, furnish the following:
A.
The business address and all telephone numbers where
the massage is to be practiced.
B.
The following personal information concerning the application:
(1)
The applicant's name, complete residence address
and residence telephone numbers.
(2)
The two previous addresses immediately prior to the present
address of the applicant.
(3)
Written proof of age.
(4)
Height, weight, color of hair, eyes and sex.
(5)
Two front-face portrait photographs (at least two inches
by two inches in size), taken within 30 days of the date of the application.
(6)
The massage or similar business history and experience,
including, but not limited to, whether or not such person, in previously operating
in this Township or another municipality or state under license(s), has had
such license or licenses denied, revoked or suspended and the reason therefor,
and the business activities or occupations subsequent to such action of denial,
suspension or revocation.
(7)
All criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic
violations, fully disclosing the jurisdiction in which convicted and the offense
for which convicted and the circumstances thereof.
(8)
A complete set of fingerprints, taken by the Pennsylvania
State Police or other law enforcement entity.
(9)
A diploma, certificate or other written proof of graduation
from a recognized school, as defined herein, by the person who shall be directly
responsible for the operation and management of the massage business.
C.
Such other information and identification deemed necessary
by the Township Code Enforcement Officer in order to discover the truth of
the matters hereinbefore required to be set forth in the application.
D.
Authorization for the Township of Hempfield, its agents
and its employees to seek information and conduct an investigation into the
truth of the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications
of the applicant for the license. The authorization provided for herein shall
terminate at the time the license is issued. All information obtained pursuant
to this section shall be deemed confidential and shall not be considered a
matter of public record nor shall the same be divulged to any individuals
other than law enforcement official officers who have requested the same.
E.
Written declaration by the applicant, under penalty of
perjury, that the foregoing information contained in the application is true
and correct, said declaration being duly dated and signed in the Township.
A.
Upon receiving the application for a massage business
or massage therapist's license, the Township Code Enforcement Officer
shall conduct an investigation into the applicant's moral character and
personal and criminal history. The Township Code Enforcement Officer may,
in his discretion, require a personal interview of the applicant and obtain
such further identification of the person as shall bear on the investigation
conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer for the purposes of issuing the
license.
B.
In the case of the applications for massage business
licenses or massage therapist's license, the Township Code Enforcement
Officer shall cause to be conducted an investigation of the premises where
the massage business is to be carried on for the purposes of assuring that
such premises comply with the sanitation requirements as set forth in this
chapter and with the regulations of public health, safety and welfare.
C.
Before any license shall issue under this chapter, the
Township Code Enforcement Officer shall first sign his approval of the application.
A.
The Township Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a massage
business license, massage therapist's license or a renewal thereof within
45 days of receipt of the application unless he finds that:
(1)
The correct license fee has not been tendered to the
Township, and, in the case of a check or bank draft, honored with payment
upon presentation.
(2)
The operation, as proposed by the applicant, if licensee,
would not comply with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to,
the Township's building, zoning and health regulations.
(3)
The applicant, if an individual; any of the stockholders
holding more than 10% of the stock in the corporation, any of the officers
and directors, if the applicant is a corporation; or any of the partners,
including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; and the manager
or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business have
been convicted of any crime involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit, unless
such conviction occurred at least five years prior to the date of the application.
(4)
The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading
or fraudulent statement of fact in the license application or in any document
required by the Township in conjunction therewith.
(5)
The applicant has had a massage business, massage therapist
or other similar license or licenses denied, revoked or suspended for any
of the above causes by the Township or any other state or local agency within
five years prior to the date of the application.
(6)
The applicant, if an individual; any of the officers
and directors, if the applicant is a corporation; or any of the partners,
including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; and the manager
or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business are
not over the age of 18 years.
(7)
The manager or other person principally in charge of
the operation of the business has not successfully completed a course of study
or learning from a recognized school, as defined herein, where the theory,
method, profession or work of massage is taught.
B.
A license granted pursuant to this section shall be subject to annual renewal upon the written application of the applicant and a finding by the Township that the applicant has not been convicted of any specified criminal activity, as defined in this chapter, or committed any act during the existence of the previous license which would be grounds to deny the initial license application. The renewal of the license shall be subject to the payment of the fee as set forth in § 56-8. An application for renewal shall be made no later than 60 days before the expiration date.
C.
Each license shall expire one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed only by making application as provided in §§ 56-3 and 56-4. Application for renewal shall be made at least 60 days before the expiration date, and when made less than 60 days before the expiration date, the date of expiration of the license will not be extended.
D.
When the Township denies renewal of a license, the applicant
shall not be issued a license for one year from the date of denial. If, subsequent
to denial, the Township finds that the basis for denial of the renewal license
has been corrected or abated, the applicant may be granted a license if at
least 90 days have elapsed since the date denial became final.
E.
Any massage business or massage therapist's license
issued under this chapter shall be subject to suspension or revocation by
the Township Code Enforcement Officer for violation of any provision of this
chapter or for any grounds that would warrant for denial of such license in
the first place. The Township Code Enforcement Officer, upon such revocation
or suspension, shall state his reasons, in writing, specifying the particular
grounds for such revocation or suspension.
F.
All license application, renewal, suspension or revocation
decisions shall be sent, in writing, to the applicant or licensee. All such
decisions which deny, suspend or revoke a license shall state specifically
the chapter requirement not met and any other basis for the decision. After
denial of an application, or denial of a renewal of an application, or after
suspension or revocation of any license, the applicant or licensee may appeal
pursuant to the Local Agency Law to the Township Board of Supervisors. The
Township Board of Supervisors will then hold a Local Agency Law hearing within
20 days from the date the appeal is filed and will render a written decision
within 10 days from the date such hearing concludes. Any such appeal must
be filed, in writing, with the Township Secretary/Treasurer, within 10 days
from the date of mailing of the decision appealed from. Failure to file said
appeal with the Township Secretary/Treasurer within 10 days from the date
of mailing of the decision appealed from shall be deemed a conclusive determination
as to the issues or matters addressed by the written decision. In the case
of a denial of a license renewal, or in the case of a license suspension or
revocation, the licensee may continue to operate to the same extent as immediately
prior to the suspension or revocation until the earlier of:
The massage business licensee shall display his license and that of
each and every massage therapist employed in the establishment in an open
and conspicuous place on the premises of the massage business.
The license fee and renewal fee for a massage business shall be as set
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The license fee
and renewal fee for massage therapists shall be as set from time by Resolution
of the Board of Supervisors.
No massage business and massage therapist licenses are transferable,
separate or divisible, and such authority as a license confers shall be conferred
only on the licensee named herein.
A.
All premises used by licensees hereunder shall be periodically
inspected by the Township Code Enforcement Officer or his authorized representatives
for safety of the structure and adequacy of plumbing, ventilation, heating
and illumination. The walls shall be clean and painted with washable, mold-resistant
paint in all rooms where water or steam baths are given. Floors shall be free
from any accumulation of dust, dirt or refuse. All equipment used in the massage
operation shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Towels, linen
and items for personal use of operators and patients shall be clean and freshly
laundered. Towels, cloths and sheets shall not be used for more than one patron.
B.
Heavy white paper may be substituted for sheets, provided
that such paper is changed for every patron. Nothing contained herein shall
be construed to eliminate other requirements of statute of ordinance requiring
the maintenance of premises nor to preclude authorized inspection thereof.
No person shall permit any person under the age of 18 years to come
or remain on the premises of any massage therapy business establishment as
a massage therapist. Nothing shall preclude a person under the age of 18 from
being employed by the business as a secretary, receptionist or any other form
of employment other than that of a massage therapist. Further, nothing shall
preclude or inhibit an individual under the age of 18 from being a patron
of the massage establishment.
No person shall sell, give, dispense, provide or keep or cause to be
sold, given, dispensed, provided or kept any alcoholic beverages on the premises
of any massage business for consumption by a customer.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to hospitals, nursing
homes, sanitariums, health care practitioners or persons holding an unrevoked
certificate to practice the healing arts under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania or persons working under the direction of any such persons
or in any such establishment, nor shall this chapter apply to barbers or cosmetologists
lawfully carrying out their particular profession or business and holding
a valid, unrevoked license or certificate of registration issued by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply as follows:
A.
To hospitals, nursing homes, sanitariums, health care
practitioners or persons holding an unrevoked certificate to practice the
healing arts under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
To persons working under the direction of any such person or any establishment as set forth in Subsection A above.
C.
Barbers or cosmetologists lawfully carrying out their
particular profession or business and holding a valid unrevoked license or
certificate of registration issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
D.
The practice of massage therapy by persons employed by
the federal government while the person is engaged in the duties provided
by the laws and regulations of the United States of America.
E.
The practice of massage therapy by persons duly licensed,
registered or certified in another state, territory, the District of Columbia
or a foreign country when incidentally called into the Township of Hempfield
to teach a course related to massage therapy or to consult with persons licensed
under this chapter.
F.
Students enrolled in a state approved recognized school
while completing a clinical requirement for graduation that shall be performed
under the supervision of a person who may be licensed as a massage therapist
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
G.
Individuals incidentally in the Township of Hempfield
to provide service as part of an emergency response team working in conjunction
with disaster relief officials.
H.
The practice of event massage, such as sporting events.
conventions or public participation in a sports event.
I.
To individuals who travel to their client's place
of residence in order to perform a massage or massage therapy.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be fined not more than $600, plus costs for each offense, and
a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which
a violation occurs or continues. In default of payment, the offender may be
imprisoned for not more than 30 days.
