Removing reflexology and other energy-based work from definition of "massage therapy"
SB 496 changes the state's legal definition of "massage therapy" by removing reflexology and energy-based practices (like Reiki) from the category. This affects practitioners who previously provided these services under massage therapy licenses, requiring them to operate under separate licensing frameworks. The bill amends the state licensing code to clarify that these practices are no longer considered massage therapy. It became law after the governor signed it on April 24, 2025, and took effect on August 8, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 14, 2025
Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
sb496 h go am _1 adopted.htm
→
Enrolled Version
·
3 edits
·
Apr 24, 2025
MINOR
The bill was finalized into its Enrolled Version, removing committee amendment history and adding standard legislative signatures. A minor technical correction was made to the definition of 'massage therapy' by adding 'physical therapists' to the list of excluded professions, ensuring the law clearly distinguishes massage therapy from other licensed health services.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on defining massage therapy and regulating massage therapists in West Virginia; no substantive changes to the scope or applicability were made.
DEFINITION
Added 'physical therapists' to the list of excluded professions in the definition of 'massage therapy' to clarify that massage therapists cannot diagnose or treat conditions requiring a medical license.
TECHNICAL
Added the formal certification signatures from the Clerks of the Senate and House, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House to finalize the bill.
Removed the text describing the committee's amendment motion and the 'Adopted/Rejected' status indicators, as these are procedural notes no longer needed in the final enrolled version.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2025
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Mar 3, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
38
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/24/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 458)
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 431)
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 54)
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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