STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1397

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 599

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MASSAGE THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish continuing education requirements for massage therapists, beginning with renewals for the biennium period beginning July 1, 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Massage Therapy, American Massage Therapy Association – Hawaii Chapter, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that forty states require massage therapists to complete continuing education before license renewals are granted. Your Committee further finds that requiring continuing education allows licensed massage therapists to remain current on best industry practices and will elevate the massage therapy profession in Hawaii to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 599, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair