The proposed bill amends the Massage Therapy Practice Act in New Mexico to establish new licensure requirements for massage therapy establishments, effective January 1, 2026. It mandates that all such establishments must be licensed by the board, which will set health and safety standards. The bill outlines procedures for license renewal, suspension, and revocation, including a grace period for late renewals and a process for handling complaints. It also introduces a definition for "home-based establishment" and clarifies which facilities are exempt from licensure. Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to the practice and enhances the board's authority to conduct inspections and enforce compliance.

Moreover, the bill introduces new offenses and penalties for unlicensed massage therapy practices, making it a misdemeanor to operate an unlicensed establishment. It broadens the scope of penalties to include violations of the Act and the board's rules, replacing previous language that only addressed unlicensed services. The bill emphasizes the necessity for individuals to hold valid licenses to advertise as qualified massage therapists. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 61-12C-3, 61-12C-8, 61-12C-11, 61-12C-17, 61-12C-18, 61-12C-24, 61-12C-24.1, 61-12C-27