HB 42 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Health Occupations - State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners - Revisions

HB 42 revises Maryland's licensing requirements for massage therapists, transitioning from a "registered" status to mandatory licensure. It requires new applicants (starting October 1, 2024) to complete 750 contact hours of approved education (up from 600 hours for current registrants), meet updated accreditation standards, and pass a board-approved exam. Existing registered massage therapists may continue practicing until October 31, 2026, after which they must obtain a license. The bill also removes outdated administrative penalty hearing requirements and updates rules for out-of-state practitioners seeking reciprocity.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Oct 14, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Health Occupations - State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners - Revisions → Third - Health Occupations - State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners - Revisions · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill updates the requirements for individuals seeking massage therapy licensure and registration in the state. It clarifies the timeline for transitioning from a registration system to a full licensing system, sets specific educational and accreditation standards for applicants, and adds formatting notes to explain how the text should be interpreted.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating massage therapy practitioners, but the specific eligibility criteria and the timeline for implementation have been modified.

TIMELINE

The transition date from registration to licensure was changed from November 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, and the registration deadline was moved from September 30, 2024, to October 31, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Requirements for out-of-state applicants were updated to specify that their programs must be approved by the state's higher education commission or a similar entity, in addition to meeting accreditation standards.

TECHNICAL

New explanatory notes were added to clarify that capital letters indicate added matter, brackets indicate deleted matter, and underlining indicates amendments.

The bill header was updated to reflect the House action as 'Adopted' and the second reading date as February 14, 2026.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 28, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 192

executive

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Health

lower

Feb 16, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-9)

house of delegates

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Health

lower

Oct 14, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors