H 3374 General Bill, By Cork, K.S. Corbett, Harvin and H.H. Keyserling
 A Bill to amend Section 40-30-20, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976,
 relating to definitions used in the regulation of a masseur or masseuse, so as
 to add the definition of massage therapist; and to amend Section 40-30-80,
 relating to exemption from masseur and masseuse regulation, so as to exempt
 massage therapists.

   01/31/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-448
   01/31/91  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-448

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 40-30-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN THE REGULATION OF A MASSEUR OR MASSEUSE, SO AS TO ADD THE DEFINITION OF MASSAGE THERAPIST; AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-30-80, RELATING TO EXEMPTION FROM MASSEUR AND MASSEUSE REGULATION, SO AS TO EXEMPT MASSAGE THERAPISTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 40-30-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(C) `Massage therapist' means a person who:

(1) is licensed to practice massage therapy or similar physical manipulative therapy to the human body and who possesses a current license issued by the agency in a state authorized to license this occupation; or

(2) practices massage therapy or similar physical manipulative therapy to the human body and who is a current member of a national association for such therapy which requires the following to obtain membership:

(a) graduation from a school accredited by the association or certification from a school or training program recognized by the association; or

(b) satisfactory completion of written and practical examinations administered or recognized by the association; and

(c) compliance with the association's continuing education requirements."

SECTION 2. Section 40-30-80 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 40-30-80. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a massage therapist or the office or facility in which the massage therapist conducts therapy; a regularly established and licensed hospital, sanitarium, nursing home, or medical clinic,; nor to the office or clinic operated by a duly qualified and licensed medical practitioner, osteopath, or chiropractor in connection with his practice of medicine, chiropractic, or osteopathy, or employees of the office or clinic; thereof, nor to YMCA's or YWCA's. However, the office or clinic must be regularly used regularly by the medical practitioner, chiropractor, or osteopath as his the principal location for his practice of medicine, chiropractic, or osteopathy."

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.