A bill for an act
relating to health occupations; establishing licensure for massage therapy and
Asian bodywork therapy; establishing fees; providing criminal penalties; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 146A.01, subdivision 4; 146A.06, subdivision
3; 146A.09, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 148.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

MASSAGE THERAPY AND ASIAN BODYWORK THERAPY

Section 1.

new text begin [148.635] CITATION.
new text end

new text begin Sections 148.635 to 148.6363 may be cited as the "Minnesota Massage Therapy and
Asian Bodywork Therapy Act."
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [148.6351] DEFINITIONS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin For purposes of sections 148.635 to 148.6363, the terms
defined in this section have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Advisory council. new text end

new text begin "Advisory council" means the Massage Therapy Advisory
Council established under section 148.6362.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applicant. new text end

new text begin "Applicant" means an individual who has submitted an application
to the board according to sections 148.635 to 148.6363.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Asian bodywork therapy. new text end

new text begin (a) "Asian bodywork therapy" means therapy based
upon Chinese medical principles with the intent of promoting, maintaining, and restoring
health and well-being by affecting the body and emotions.
new text end

new text begin (b) Asian bodywork therapy may use any of the following techniques:
new text end

new text begin (1) pressing;
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new text begin (2) soothing;
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new text begin (3) kneading;
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new text begin (4) vibration;
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new text begin (5) friction;
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new text begin (6) passive stretching within the client's physiological range of motion;
new text end

new text begin (7) active assistive and resistive movement;
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new text begin (8) stretching; and
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new text begin (9) tapping, movement, exercising, or manipulation of the soft tissues.
new text end

new text begin (c) Methods of assessment and evaluation for Asian bodywork therapy may include a
health history and intake interview; observation; listening; questioning; palpation; and with
the client's permission or if the client is a minor, the permission of the client's legal guardian
or parent, consultation with the client's other health care providers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin "Board" means the Board of Nursing established under section 148.181.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Client. new text end

new text begin "Client" means a recipient of massage therapy services or Asian
bodywork therapy services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Credentialing examination. new text end

new text begin "Credentialing examination" means an examination
approved by the board that meets recognized psychometric principles and standards and is
administered by a national testing organization.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Licensed Asian bodywork therapist. new text end

new text begin "Licensed Asian bodywork therapist"
or "Asian bodywork therapist" means an individual who meets the qualifications in sections
148.635 to 148.6363 for the practice of Asian bodywork therapy and is licensed by the
board.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Licensed massage therapist. new text end

new text begin "Licensed massage therapist" or "massage
therapist" means an individual who meets the qualifications in sections 148.635 to 148.6363
for the practice of massage therapy and is licensed by the board.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Massage therapy. new text end

new text begin (a) "Massage therapy" means the manual manipulation of
the soft tissues of the body to promote, maintain, and restore health and well-being.
new text end

new text begin (b) Massage therapy may use any of the following techniques:
new text end

new text begin (1) stroking;
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new text begin (2) gliding;
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new text begin (3) lifting;
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new text begin (4) kneading;
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new text begin (5) jostling;
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new text begin (6) vibration;
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new text begin (7) percussion;
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new text begin (8) compression;
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new text begin (9) friction;
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new text begin (10) holding;
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new text begin (11) passive stretching within the client's physiological range of motion;
new text end

new text begin (12) movement or manipulation of the soft tissues;
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new text begin (13) active assistive and resistive movement; and
new text end

new text begin (14) stretching.
new text end

new text begin (c) Methods of assessment for massage therapy may include a health history and intake
interview; observation of posture and movement; palpation; range of motion assessment;
and with the client's permission or if the client is a minor, the permission of the client's legal
guardian or parent, consultation with the client's other health care providers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Municipality. new text end

new text begin "Municipality" means a county, town, or home rule charter or
statutory city.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [148.6352] DUTIES OF THE BOARD.
new text end

new text begin The board, in consultation with the advisory council, shall:
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new text begin (1) issue licenses to qualified applicants according to sections 148.635 and 148.6363;
new text end

new text begin (2) adopt rules, including standards of practice and a professional code of ethics, necessary
to implement the provisions of sections 148.635 to 148.6363;
new text end

new text begin