This bill establishes new licensing requirements for massage therapy establishments in Iowa, effective January 1, 2027. It defines an "establishment" as a location where massage therapy is practiced, while exempting certain scenarios such as massage therapy provided at a customer's location, the use of stand-alone devices, and practices within licensed health care facilities. The bill mandates that owners of massage establishments must obtain a license from the board of massage therapy, submit an application with a fee, and undergo a sanitary inspection prior to licensing and biennially thereafter. Additionally, owners must provide fingerprints for a national criminal history check, with provisions for exemptions for those who have previously submitted fingerprints.

The bill also outlines the conditions under which the board can deny or revoke an establishment license, including instances of criminal investigations or disqualifying criminal histories. Establishments are required to maintain records for three years, detailing the massage therapists employed and the clients served. Furthermore, the bill imposes penalties for operating without a license, with violations classified as serious misdemeanors. The board is tasked with adopting rules to implement the new licensing framework, covering aspects such as sanitation, safety, and record retention.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 152C.1, 152C.9, 152C.5B, 152C.7