California Coalition on Somatic Practices (CCSP)

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MEETING on February 6, 2000 (Los Angeles)

I. Introductions

New attendee orientation..............No new attendees. Brian stated that he sent out the meeting announcement 2 weeks ago unfortunately they were sent bulk mail and most people did not receive them in time.

II. Treasurers Report

Balance=$5490.00

III. Local Massage Regulations

1. Model Massage Ordinance
2. San Francisco........Beverly May reported Board of Supervisors President Ammiano and Supervisor Yaki have proposed two different ordinances. In response to the therapeutic massage communities request to be exempted Ammiano's ordinance, which is designed to protect the sex industry, Ammiano said that an exclusion for massage therapists would be racist. He wants regulation moved to the health department, as does Yaki's proposal, but the stated intention is to recognize adult entertainment and protect the sexual massage parlors. Yaki has proposed a two tiered regulation based on much of the criteria in the model ordinance, general massage technician needing 100 hrs and a separate outcall permit. The other level will create a less regulated therapeutic massage permit, zoned as professional/commercial. Both are pending. Ammiano's was defeated late last year in the Public Health and Safety. Ammiano wants his moved in Finance, where he may have a majority to pass it on to the full Board. Yaki's proposal is unassigned.
3. Los Angeles........The Board of Police Commissioners creates and administrates the rules and has been arbitrary in their interpretation and application of the ordinance. Many therapists have had their permits canceled without notification or had paper work lost.

   The Planning Office of City of Los Angeles, contacted Beverly May regarding changing the zoning and exempting massage therapists from adult entertainment. The administrative vice dept. of LAPD is in favor of this change. CMTA has funded hiring of a lobbyist to advocate on behalf of such a change, including repealing the police commission rules, and revising the entire ordinance, which is still an adult entertainment ordinance. Beverly recommended that therapists in the LA area get involved.

4. Other city updates......Beverly May went on to discuss the model ordinance and exemptions. There was discussion of exemptions such as modalities not requiring a massage education and where clients are clothed.

IV. Managed Care

Updates - not discussed

V. State laws

1. Massage regulations in other states...........There are 29 states and DC which have state massage regulations. Discussion.
2. Other bills - occupational therapists (SB1287)....Currently Occupational Therapists must be a member of an association and be nationally certified. A bill to create a full full license and board passed both houses then was vetoed by the Governor due to concerns about funding for the board. It has been re-introduced as AB 1046. This is the first such licensing bill to come so close to being passed in a long time in CA.
   • acupuncture (SB466)........Bill to add oriental massage such as tuina to the scope of practice of acupuncturists, could be interpreted as meaning that oriental bodyworkers would need acupuncture education to practice, although not likely This is still in the legislature.
   • cosmetology (AB1427).........This bill is now back into committee and would exempt massage therapists. The exemption is being re-worded to be more specific.
3. Yoga teachers....are also looking at possible state regulation and national certification.
4. Nurse massage therapists Faxed Beverly May their position paper and are trying to make massage a nursing specialty. They want it to be a ol specialty requiring 500 hours of additional training for a nurse to be recognized by their association. They are setting up a registry to review credentials of nurse massage therapists.

VI. Future of CCSP.

There was discussion of CCSP continuing in a less active level and communicating primarily by e-mail. The current CCSP leadership needs to scale back the level of activity and invites those with energy to volunteer for new projects and leadership. We remain committed to the following
1. Communication
   1. Internet group.......We agreed to establish a focused, low volume internet mailing list, specific to regulation and issues of professional identity. We will invite those on our regular and e-mail lists to join, and ask associations to help spread the word. We will also ask the associations to designate a representative to communicate with the list on their behalf. Subscribers will be able to choose to receive individual messages or a daily digest, or to read the mailing list on the web. Archives of past messages will be available on the web. Ralph Strauch agreed to set up the mailing list
   2. Snail mail - Snail mail correspondence will go to a limited active status, mailing only notices of urgent issues. This is unless someone takes on the responsibility for more regular letters.
   Our hope is that even those without computers will be able to receive e-mail via friends, family or free library accounts.
2. Certification Table and other documents available on our web-site (www.somatic.com/ccsp/) -the table is a work in progress.
3. Maintaining a network of association and individuals. CCSP will remain a resource.
4. Encourage the rich possibilities of problem solving and regulatory approaches.
5. Monitor managed care, regulation and certification of other emerging professions, threats and opportunities.
6. Promote involvement in revising local massage regulations as they occur.

   John Black of Newport Beach stated that he is looking for a way to verify acceptable CEU's. He was referred to www.somatic.com/ccsp for certification sources. He was also referred to the Bd of Registered Nurses (BRN) and NCBTMB approved CEU programs.

VII. No further meetings were scheduled.

We will notify all on our mailing list of our plans, and invite them to join the internet mailing list. Future meetings will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

You can contact us at:

California Coalition on Somatic Practices
P.O. Box 5611
San Mateo, CA. 94402-0611
(650) 637-1233 (Beverly May) beverlysmay@home.com

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