SB 221: FEES/LICENSES/PERMITS: Provides relative to massage therapy. (8/1/25) (EN +$82,200 SG RV See Note) - Louisiana

SB221 Original → SB221 Act 453 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly strengthens the regulatory framework for massage therapy by expanding the Board's powers to conduct unannounced inspections for illicit activity, updating criminal background check requirements for license renewals, and adding strict prohibitions against using massage establishments as residential housing. These changes aim to improve public safety by allowing faster responses to complaints and closing loopholes that could allow establishments to operate as illegal dwellings.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enforcement by explicitly authorizing unannounced, in-person inspections within ten days of receiving complaints alleging illicit activity, fraud, abuse, or human trafficking, whereas the original text did not specify this authority or timeline.

ENFORCEMENT

The Board is now explicitly authorized to conduct unannounced, in-person inspections within ten days of receiving a complaint alleging illicit activity, fraud, abuse, or human trafficking.

Automatic license revocation is now mandated for massage establishments if the owner, manager, or supervisor violates the chapter's provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Background check requirements were updated to mandate checks for applicants licensed before April 1, 2022, and added a new requirement for those registered before August 1, 2025, if they have not previously submitted to such a check.

The bill clarifies that continuing education credits earned in excess of requirements can only be applied to the following renewal cycle.

DEFINITION

A new provision prohibits massage establishments from being used as principal dwellings, shelters, or sleeping quarters unless the property is zoned for residential use.

SB221 Enrolled → SB221 Original · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill converts a legislative bill from its original draft to its enrolled, final version by updating the bill number, removing the list of co-sponsoring senators, and refining the summary of the act. The substantive legal text regarding massage therapy regulations, including complaint reviews, background checks, and reporting requirements, remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from 'SB 221' to 'SLS 25RS-177' to reflect its final enrolled status in the 2025 Regular Session.

The list of co-sponsoring senators (Mizell, Abraham, Barrow, etc.) was removed, leaving only Senator Mizell as the sponsor, which is standard for bills that have been signed into law.

The summary of the act was slightly reworded to change 'massage establishment' to 'massage therapist establishment' in the description of powers and duties.

SB221 Reengrossed → SB221 Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, changing the document status from 'Reengrossed' to 'Enrolled' and reducing the total page count from 7 to 5. Substantively, the bill clarifies that complaints about illicit activity at massage establishments must trigger unannounced inspections within ten days and expands background check requirements to include those registered after August 1, 2025. It also updates penalty language to apply to 'massage establishments' rather than just 'massage therapy establishments' and adds specific reporting requirements for repeat offenders and inspection results.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating massage therapy, but the applicability of background checks is extended to include individuals registered after August 1, 2025, and the enforcement language is broadened to cover all massage establishments.

REQUIREMENT

Complaints alleging illicit activity at massage establishments now explicitly require an unannounced, in-person inspection by the board within ten days of receipt.

Background check requirements are expanded to mandate checks for renewing applicants registered after August 1, 2025, in addition to those licensed prior to April 1, 2022.

New reporting requirements were added to mandate summaries of complaints involving repeat offenders and the results of all inspections conducted in the preceding year.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalty language was updated to refer to 'massage establishments' instead of 'massage therapy establishments,' broadening the scope of the penalty provisions.

TECHNICAL

The bill status changed from 'Reengrossed' to 'Enrolled,' and the total page count was reduced from 7 to 5, indicating finalization and consolidation of text.

SB221 Engrossed → SB221 Reengrossed · 5 edits · Jun 3, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to add multiple new co-sponsors and expand the scope of the legislation to include new sections regarding massage establishments and license renewal requirements. The substantive policy changes involve clarifying the board's authority to prevent fraud and human trafficking, updating background check procedures for renewing applicants, and modifying the conditions under which licenses can be revoked.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new sections on massage establishments (preventing use as a domicile) and updated license renewal requirements, while the list of sponsoring legislators was significantly increased.

SCOPE

Added four new co-sponsors to the bill, expanding the legislative support for the massage therapy regulations.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the bill's title to include new sections on massage establishments and revised the list of statutes being amended to reflect the new content.

Revised the background check requirements for license renewal, clarifying the timeline for applicants licensed prior to April 1, 2022, and August 1, 2025.

ENFORCEMENT

Inserted a new provision prohibiting massage establishments from being used as living quarters unless zoned for residential use.

Replaced the specific requirement for unannounced inspections within ten days of a complaint with a broader clause allowing the board to adopt rules to prevent fraud, abuse, and human trafficking.

FEES/LICENSES/PERMITS: Provides relative to massage therapy. (8/1/25) (EN +$82,200 SG RV See Note)

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