Keeping You Informed: HR 9755 (Fingerprinting LMTs)

Usually,  the WSMTA Government Relations (GR) team works to keep you in the know about state level legislation and regulations. Today, I want to bring your attention to a bill at the Federal level. If this bill is passed in the “other Washington”, it would have far reaching implications for Washington State massage therapists.

HR 9755 is a bill that was introduced on the floor of the United States House of Representative by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3) on September 23, 2024. The name of the bill is the Human Trafficking Fingerprint Background Check Protection Act of 2024 (click the link to read the HR 9755 bill language).

What is HR 9755?

“The stated purpose of the bill is to require owners and employees of massage wellness spas to undergo fingerprint-based background checks to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and enhance public safety.”

“The term “massage wellness spa” is defined as a business establishment where various forms of massage therapy are offered. A facility where licensed massage therapists provide therapeutic treatments designed to promote relaxation, relieve stress, alleviate pain, and improve overall health and well-being. This definition includes massage parlors, massage facilities, massage spa, and any other facility where the core service is to provide massage services of any kind.”

How Does HR 9755 Affect LMT’s?

What this means is that ALL of us would have to submit to a fingerprint-based background check. Owners, employees, independent contractors would have to pass the background check before being allowed to continue our work. 

New owners would have to pass the background check prior to being able to open a massage business, employees would have to pass before becoming employed, independent contractors would have to pass before being allowed to lease a space in a massage business.

HR 9755 Creates Additional Burdens for Clinic Owners

If you are the owner of a massage facility, YOU will be the person responsible for making sure that all of your employees or independent contractors have passed the background check. You and your employees will also have to undergo mandatory training in recognizing and reporting human trafficking. Anyone who does not follow the rule will be subject to fines, license suspension or perhaps license revocation.

WSMTA’s Stance on HR 9755

The WSMTA GR team and Board of Directors have carefully reviewed the proposed bill and have chosen to oppose it after consulting with one of our trusted experts on human trafficking within massage therapy, who has extensively worked to combat this issue. Our consultant’s assessment is that the bill is both repressive and will be ineffective in achieving its intended purpose. WSMTA remains committed to advocating for measures that truly enhance safety and accountability while respecting and supporting our members and their professional integrity.

 What’s Next?

The next article in this series will explore why HR 9755 is an ineffective tool in the fight against human trafficking and we will review a similar topic being discussed by our Board of Massage.  Watch your inbox for future information about HR 9755.

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The WSMTA Government Relations team Is dedicated to updating and keeping you informed on issues related to legislation and regulation that impact Washington massage therapists. WSMTA advocates for massage therapy to be a recognized and respected healthcare profession by actively engaging with lawmakers and influencing legislation that affect our profession. We work to protect LMTs' rights, promote fair laws and regulations, and ensure the industry’s growth and integrity.