Senate Engrossed
massage therapy; continuation; study committee
State of Arizona
Senate
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
2025
SENATE BILL 1656
An Act
repealing section 41-3025.10, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3027.09; relating to the board of massage therapy.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Repeal
Section 41-3025.10, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.
Sec. 2. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3027.09, to read:
START_STATUTE41-3027.09. Board of massage therapy; termination July 1, 2027
A. The board of massage therapy terminates on July 1, 2027.
b. Title 32, chapter 42 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2028.END_STATUTE
Sec. 3. Board of massage therapy continuation study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal
A. The board of massage therapy continuation study committee is established consisting of the following members:
1. Three members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party. The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.
2. Three members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.
3. The executive director of the governor's office of boards and commissions, or the executive director's designee.
4. The executive director of the board of massage therapy, or the executive director's designee.
5. A representative of private postsecondary schools who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
6. A representative of law enforcement who is appointed by the president of the senate.
7. A representative of a state or national massage therapy association who is appointed by the president of the senate.
8. A representative of a national association of massage therapy licensing boards and agencies whose primary interest is public and consumer protection and who is appointed by the president of the senate.
B. Members of the study committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.
C. The study committee shall study the board of massage therapy and make recommendations regarding all of the following:
1. Whether the board of massage therapy should continue in its current form, remain a stand-alone health board or be combined with an existing board.
2. The state's role in expediting background checks.
3. Whether the board of massage therapy's information technology project that was implemented beginning in February 2025 is sufficient to deal with existing issues.
4. Whether an establishment license should be required in this state as a tool to eliminate sex trafficking.
D. In fulfilling the study committee's requirements under subsection C of this section, the study committee shall collect:
1. Comparable data points between any previous technology and the new technology solution implemented in February 2025.
2. Feedback from stakeholders, licensed massage therapists throughout this state, local law enforcement agencies and victims' services advocates to make any recommended change to the structure of the board of massage therapists or to implement any additional licensure types.
E. The study committee shall produce a report not later than December 31, 2026 that includes the recommendations made pursuant to subsection C of this section. The study committee shall submit the report to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall submit a copy to the secretary of state.
F. This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2027.
Sec. 4. Purpose
Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature continues the board of massage therapy to promote the safe practice of massage therapy by qualified professionals in this state.
Sec. 5. Retroactivity
Sections 1 and 2 of this act apply retroactively to from and after July 1, 2025.
Sec. 6. Emergency
This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.