House supports regulating massage therapy as health profession

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislation authored by State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) requiring professional massage therapists to be held accountable to the same standards of practice as other healthcare providers was today passed by members of the Indiana House of Representatives.

House Bill 1360 establishes higher behavioral and ethical guidelines for therapeutic massage therapists and distinguishes the field as an integral part of collaborative medical care.

“Professional massage therapists wholeheartedly welcome more stringent regulation for their industry,” said Errington. “Several people have managed to slide by under the guise of professional therapists that don’t meet the established standards of practice.

“This legislation helps differentiate amateur or disreputable therapists from those who are truly dedicated to providing their patients with high-quality treatment,” she added.

During recent testimony on behalf of HB 1360, Indiana physician Lynn Witty and consumer Judy Refler explained that massage therapists are undeniably healthcare professionals because of their abilities to greatly improve day-to-day functioning and bodily movement in their clients.

Errington joined bipartisan forces with co-authors State Reps. David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis), Dennis Zent (R-Angola), and Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) on this legislation.

HB 1360 passed the House with a vote of 71-25 and now advances to the Indiana Senate for further legislative consideration.