The June Advisory Board on Massage Therapy (ABMT) meeting was canceled last minute.

     The July Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB) had many crossover topics. There are things that affect massage therapy due to those who work in a salon or spa setting. The item of concern for me from the OSBCB July meeting was the discussion to look at redefining 'massage therapy' in our statute. Laura Grisso informed the board and attendees that the revised rules were signed by the Governor. This is good and bad. The bad thing is that it dropped required CEs from 8/year to 5/year. The good is that the disparaging language I fought to change in the established rules of 2017 were eliminated. The new rules are now posted to the OSBCB website.

     The August ABMT meeting had two items tabled because Assistant AG Grant Moak was not present. The items concerned whether reflexology and essential oils in aroma therapy constitute massage therapy as defined in the Massage Therapy Act. This is why they are seeking to redefine 'massage therapy'. Laura Bryce is fielding too many calls from those who practice reflexology and Young's Living Rain Drop Therapy. Tonya Sharp spoke up during public comment to address the attempts to redefine 'massage therapy'. Tonya feels that we need to educate the boards and Legislators on the difference between massage therapy and those exempted modalities in the statute. We all need to understand that if the exempted individuals stay within the scope of their practice, they don't need to license. If they do massage as defined outside of the scope of their practice, they need to license. Most of the PTs and Chiropractors who do massage outside of their medical practices understood this. Other public comment concerned minutes from ABMT meeting in April. The Tulsa area massage therapists are still concerned over alcohol being served in some salons and spas. This is an ABLE commission issue not the OSBCB. They also wanted clarification on traveling massage therapists, the subject was tabled in April. They will address this in the rewrite of the language or the Rules. Laura Embleton with the abmp Government Relations Department was present. She wanted to reiterate that she is a resource to help with rules and the rewrite of the original bill SB 687. A school owner spoke up about reflexology and felt everyone involved with this was attempting to outlaw touch. They also felt that that stats I shared from Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) were a lie. Laura Grisso asked for volunteers to sit on the committees. Laura has the following committees: Legislative, Rules, Professional Conduct and Overview. She consolidated Continuing Education with Rules. It is too late to sign up for one of these committees. If you want to be more involved, then you need to be attending the OSBCB and ABMT meetings at least in the summer months.

     The Chapter was awarded a $15,000.00 LLEAD Grant amount. All necessary documentation has been completed and submitted. The Chapter will need to contribute the additional $5000.00 to pay the Lobbyists who continue to represent us for a deeply discounted fee. We won't have an active contract until January 1, 2019. The lobbyists are always keeping a watchful eye and working on our behalf all year. Some of the deadlines we need to be aware of are: December 7, 2018 - Bill Request, so if you wish to be heard contact ABMT members Laura Grisso or Theresa Schroeder, myself or another AMTA-OK board member to give your input, the first meeting for the ABMT Legislative Committee is 9/20/2018 at 3PM; January 17, 2019 - Bill Introduction; February 4, 2019 - Session Begins; and May 31, 2019 - Sine Die, which means they get signed by the Governor or die.

     I am encouraging all board members, members and those massage therapists I network with to work toward a cohesive massage coalition so we have numbers to bring about the change we need for massage therapy while supporting our governing board. We have a right to respectfully disagree with their direction if we feel it is taking us down the wrong path. I know many work in a salon or spa setting but I feel confident even in this setting most therapists align with health and wellness. Please take a proactive approach to your chosen career path. Stay informed and try to get involved with the process.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Mary Elizabeth Le Blanc

AMTA-OK Government Relations Chair

405.924.2114/[email protected]