The bill SB136 proposes significant changes to the regulation of massage therapy in Alabama by transitioning the existing Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board into the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council, effective October 1, 2026. This restructuring involves renaming the board and shifting its role from direct oversight to an advisory capacity to the Alabama Department of Public Health, which will now assume regulatory authority over massage therapists, establishments, and schools. The bill includes various amendments to the Code of Alabama 1975, notably replacing references to the "board" with "department" or "advisory council," and introduces new terms such as "State Health Officer" and "Committee." It also outlines the composition and appointment process for the advisory council, which will consist of nine members, and mandates that all current board members continue to serve until their terms expire.

Additionally, the bill establishes new requirements for licensing, including evidence of completing an approved course, passing an exam, and undergoing a criminal history background check. It mandates that massage therapists and establishments carry professional liability insurance and prohibits therapists from engaging in medical practices outside their expertise. The bill also introduces penalties for operating without a license and allows the department to issue emergency orders to suspend operations if public safety is at risk. Importantly, it removes the provision subjecting the board to the Alabama Sunset Law, ensuring the department's continued existence and instituting a continuing education requirement for license renewal. Overall, SB136 aims to enhance public safety and regulatory compliance within the massage therapy industry in Alabama.

Statutes affected:
Engrossed: 34-43A-2, 34-43A-4, 34-43A-5, 34-43A-6, 34-43A-7, 34-43A-8, 34-43A-9, 34-43A-10, 34-43A-11, 34-43A-12, 34-43A-13, 34-43A-14, 34-43A-16, 34-43A-18, 34-43A-19
Enrolled: 34-43A-2, 34-43A-4, 34-43A-5, 34-43A-6, 34-43A-7, 34-43A-8, 34-43A-9, 34-43A-10, 34-43A-11, 34-43A-12, 34-43A-13, 34-43A-14, 34-43A-16, 34-43A-18, 34-43A-19