Bill Text: CA AB1147 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Massage therapy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-18 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 406, Statutes of 2014. [AB1147 Detail]
Download: California-2013-AB1147-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 1147 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 1, 2014 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 17, 2014 AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 23, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 14, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JANUARY 6, 2014 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 31, 2013 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 13, 2013 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 1, 2013 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Bonilla, Gomez, and Holden (Coauthor: Assembly Member Skinner) FEBRUARY 22, 2013 An act to amend Section 460 of, and to add and repeal Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 2 of, the Business and Professions Code, and to amend Section 51034 of the Government Code, relating to healing arts. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1147, as amended, Bonilla. Massage therapy. Existing law, until January 1, 2015, provides for the voluntary certification of massage practitioners and massage therapists by the California Massage Therapy Council. Existing law specifies the requirements for the council to issue to an applicant a certificate as a massage practitioner or massage therapist. Existing law authorizes a city, county, or city and county to impose certain requirements on massage establishments or businesses that are the sole proprietorship of an individual certified pursuant to existing state law or that employ or use only persons who are so certified. Existing law authorizes a city, county, or city and county to, among other things, adopt reasonable health and safety requirements, as specified, pertaining to those massage establishments or businesses, and to require an applicant for a business license to operate a massage business or establishment to fill out an application that requests relevant information, as specified. This bill would reenact, revise, and recast these provisions to, among other things,toestablish an interim board of directors to govern the council until September 1, 2015, andwouldprovide for the appointment of a new board of directors consisting of 13 members, as specified, whose 4-year terms would begin on that date. The bill would authorize the board to establish fees reasonably related to the costs of providing services and performing its duties, not to exceed $300. The bill would require the board to provide at least 90 days' advance notice prior to holding a meeting to vote upon a proposal to change the certification requirements or increase the certification fees, as specified, except as provided. The bill would also require the board to notify certificate holders of a board action that changes those requirements or increases those fees. This bill would delete provisions for the registration of massage establishments and, instead, provide for the certification of massage establishment operators and sole provider massage establishment operators, as specified. The bill would discontinue the issuance of new massage practitioner certificates after January 1, 2015, except as provided, but would authorize the renewal of massage practitioner certificates issued prior to January 1, 2015. The bill would require that all certificates issued pursuant to these provisions be subject to renewal every 2 years, except as provided. The bill would require the council to inspect and approve schools or continuing education providers. The bill would authorize the council to deny an application for a certificate, or to discipline a certificate holder for a violation of these provisions, as specified. The bill would require the board to exercise its denial or discipline authority by means of fair and reasonable procedures that, among other things, provide the applicant or certificate holder with notice and an opportunity to be heard, as specified. The bill would provide that unprofessional conduct in violation of these provisions includes, among other things, engaging in sexually suggestive advertising related to massage services and engaging in sexual activity while providing massage services for compensation. The bill would, notwithstanding any other law, prohibit a city, county, or city and county from enacting an ordinance that conflicts with these provisionsand would prohibit any conflicting ordinance that is in effect before the effective date of these provisions from being enforced against a certificate holder or registered establishmentor other corresponding specified provisions . However, the bill would authorize a city, county, or city and county to enact ordinances that require a certificate holder or registered establishment to, among other things, obtain a license, permit, or other authorization, as specified, and abide by reasonable health and safety requirements, as specified. The bill would authorize a court to issue an injunction or to provide any other relief it deems appropriate for violations of these provisions, as specified. The bill would provide that the powers and duties of the council are subject to review by the appropriate committees of the Legislature and would require the council to provide a specified report to these committees on or before June 1, 2016. The bill would provide that these provisions are issues of statewide concern, and therefore applicable statewide. The bill would also provide that its provisions are severable. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2017. The bill would also make clarifying and conforming changes regarding local regulation of massage establishments or businesses. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. (a) It is the intent of Legislature that this act enable consumers and local governments to more easily identify trained massage professionals, provide for the consistent and statewide certification and oversight of massage professionals, ensure that schools teaching massage provide a high level of training and protection for students, assist local governments and law enforcement in maintaining the highest standards of performance by certificated professionals, provide for a self-funded nonprofit oversight body to certify massage professionals, and ensure full compliance with, and execution of, the requirements of this act. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that broad control over land use in regulating massage establishments be returned to local governments so that they may manage those establishments in the best interest of the individual community, and that the requirements and practice of the profession of massage therapy remain a matter of statewide concern, regulation, and oversight. (c) It is further the intent of the Legislature that local governments, law enforcement, nonprofit stakeholders, the massage industry, and massage professionals work together going forward to improve communication and share information to further increase the value of statewide certification, and also to develop a model ordinance reflecting best practices in massage regulation for cities and counties to adopt that will respect local control, patient privacy, and the dignity of the profession of massage therapy. SEC. 2. Section 460 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 460. (a) Nocity orcity, county, or city and county shall prohibit a person or group of persons, authorized by one of theboardsagencies in the Department of Consumer Affairsor a regulatory body establishedor an entity established pursuant to this code by a license, certificate, or othersuchmeans to engage in a particular business, from engaging in that business, occupation, or profession or any portionthereofof that business, occupation, or profession . (b) (1) No city, county, or city and county shall prohibit a healing arts professional licensed with the state under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) or licensed or certified by an entity established pursuant to this code from engaging in any act or performing any procedure that falls within the professionally recognized scope of practice of that licensee.(1)( 2) This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit the enforcement of a local ordinance in effect prior to January 1, 2010, related to any act or procedure that falls within the professionally recognized scope of practice of a healing arts professional licensed under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500).(2)(c) Thissubdivisionsection shall not be construed to prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing any local ordinance governing zoning, business licensing, or reasonable health and safety requirements for establishments or businesses of a healing arts professional licensed under Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) or licensed or certified by an entity established under this code or a person or group of persons described in subdivision (a) .(c)(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any city, county, or city and county from levying a business license tax solely for revenue purposes, nor any city or county from levying a license tax solely for the purpose of covering the cost of regulation. SEC. 3. Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 4600) is added to Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, to read: CHAPTER 10.5. MASSAGE THERAPY ACT 4600. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Massage Therapy Act. Whenever a reference is made to the Massage Therapy Act by any statute, it shall be construed to refer to this chapter. 4601. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) "Approved school" or "approved massage school" means a school approved by the council that meets minimum standards for training and curriculum in massage and related subjects, that meets any of the following requirements, and that has not been otherwise disapproved by the council: (1) Is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. (2) Is approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs. (3) Is an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities or the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and that is one of the following: (A) A public institution. (B) An institution incorporated and lawfully operating as a nonprofit public benefit corporation pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, and that is not managed by any entity for profit. (C) A for-profit institution. (D) An institution that does not meet all of the criteria in subparagraph (B) that is incorporated and lawfully operating as a nonprofit public benefit corporation pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, that has been in continuous operation since April 15, 1997, and that is not managed by any entity for profit. (4) Is a college or university of the state higher education system, as defined in Section 100850 of the Education Code. (5) Is a school requiring equal or greater training than what is required pursuant to this chapter and is recognized by the corresponding agency in another state or accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. (b) "Certificate" means a valid certificate issued by the council pursuant to this chapter. (c) "Compensation" means a payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit, or gift of money, or anything of value. (d) "Council" means the California Massage Therapy Council created pursuant to this chapter, which shall be a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. (e) "Massage" means the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues. For purposes of this chapter, the terms "massage" and "bodywork" shall have the same meaning. (f) "Massage establishment" or "establishment" means a location where massage is performed for compensation, excluding those locations where massage is only provided on an out-call basis. (g) "Massage practitioner" means a person who is certified by the council pursuant to Section 4604.2 and who administers massage for compensation. (h) "Massage therapist" means a person who is certified by the council under Section 4604 and who administers massage for compensation. (i) "Operator" means a person, whether owner or nonowner, who meets the requirements of Section 4604.1. An operator need not be an owner of the establishment or a certified massage therapist or practitioner. (j) "Sole provider" means a massage business where the owner owns 100 percent of the business, is the only person who provides massage services for compensation for that business pursuant to a valid and active certificate issued in accordance with this chapter, and has no other employees or independent contractors . 4602. (a) The California Massage Therapy Council, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 4601, is hereby established and shall carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter. (b) The council may take any reasonable actions necessary to carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in this chapter, including, but not limited to, hiring staff, entering into contracts, and developing policies and procedures to implement this chapter. (c) The council may require background checks for all employees, contractors, volunteers, and board members as a condition of their employment, formation of a contractual relationship, or participation in council activities. (d) The council shall issue a certificate to an individual applicant who satisfies the requirements of this chapter for thatcertificate, and shall issue a registration to a massage establishment that satisfies the requirements of this chaptercertificate . (e) The council is authorized to determine whether the information provided to the council in relation to the certification of an applicantor registration of an establishmentis true and correct and meets the requirements of this chapter. If the council has any reason to question whether the information provided is true or correct or meets the requirements of this chapter, the council is authorized to make any investigation it deems necessary to establish that the information received is accurate and satisfies any criteria established by this chapter. (f) Until September 1, 2015, the council shall be governed by a board of directors comprised of two representatives selected by each professional society, association, or other entity, which membership is comprised of massage therapists and that chooses to participate in the council. To qualify, a professional society, association, or other entity shall have a dues-paying membership in California of at least 1,000 individuals for the last three years and shall have bylaws that require its members to comply with a code of ethics. The board of directors shall also include each of the following persons: (1) One member selected by each statewide association of private postsecondary schools incorporated on or before January 1, 2010, which member schools have together had at least 1,000 graduates in each of the previous three years from massage therapy programs that meet the approval standards set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 4601, unless a qualifying association chooses not to exercise this right of selection. (2) One member selected by the League of California Cities, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection. (3) One member selected by the California State Association of Counties, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection. (4) One member selected by the Director of Consumer Affairs, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection. (5) One member appointed by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right of selection. The person appointed, if any, shall not be part of any massage therapy certificate or degree program. (6) The council's bylaws shall establish a process for appointing other professional directors, as determined by the board. (g) At 12 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on September 1, 2015, the term of each member of the board of directors established pursuant to subdivision (f) shall terminate, and the terms of 13 new members of the board of directors who shall be chosen in the following manner, shall begin: (1) One member shall be a representative of the League of California Cities, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right to appoint. (2) One member shall be a representative of the California Police Chiefs Association, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right to appoint. (3) One member shall be a representative of the California State Association of Counties, unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right to appoint. (4) One member shall be a representative of anantihuman traffickingantihuman-trafficking organization to be determined by that entity unless that entity chooses not to exercise this right to appointment. (5) One member appointed by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, unless that office chooses not to exercise this right of appointment. The appointee shall not be participating in any massage therapy certificate or degree program. (6) Two members shall be appointed by the Director of Consumer Affairs, one of whom shall be a public member and one of whom shall be a California-certified massage therapist or practitioner who has been practicing for at least three years, unless the director chooses not to exercise this right of appointment. (7) One member appointed by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools. (8) One representative shall be appointed by the American Massage Therapy Association, California Chapter, who shall be a California-certified massage therapist or massage practitioner who is a California resident and who has been practicing massage for at least three years. (9) (A) One representative, who shall be a certified massage therapist or a certified massage practitioner who is a California resident who has practiced massage for at least three years prior to the appointment, selected by a professional society, association, or other entity which membership is comprised of massage therapist professionals, and that chooses to participate in the council. To qualify, a professional society, association, or other entity shall have a dues-paying membership in California of at least 1,000 individuals, have been established since 2000, and shall have bylaws that require its members to comply with a code of ethics. (B) If there is more than one professional society, association, or other entity that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), the appointment shall rotate based on a four-year term between each of the qualifying entities. The qualifying entity shall maintain its appointment authority during the entirety of the four-year term during which it holds the appointment authority. The order in which a qualifying professional society, association, or other entity has the authority to appoint shall be determined by alphabetical order based on the full legal name of the entity as of January 1, 2014. (10) The members appointed to the board in accordance with paragraphs (1) to (9), inclusive, shall appoint three additional members, at a duly held board meeting in accordance with the board's bylaws. One of those appointees shall be an attorney licensed by the State Bar of California, who has been practicing law for at least three years and who at the time of appointment represents a city in the state. One of those appointees shall represent a massage business entity that has been operating in the state for at least three years. (h) Board member terms shall be for four years. (i) The board of directors shall establish fees reasonably related to the cost of providing services and carrying out its ongoing responsibilities and duties. Initial and renewal fees for certificates shall be in an amount sufficient to support the functions of the council in the administration of this chapter, but in no event shall exceed three hundred dollars ($300). The renewal fee shall be reassessed biennially by the board. (j) The meetings of the council shall be subject to the rules of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The board may adopt additional policies and procedures that provide greater transparency to certificate holders and the public than required by the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. (k) Prior to holding a meeting to vote upon a proposal to change the certification requirements or increase the certification fees, the board shall provide at least 90 days' notice of the meeting, including posting a notice on the council's Internet Web site, and sending a notice either by regular mail or email to certificate holders and affected applicants, in advance of the vote, unless at least two-thirds of the board members concur that there is an active threat to public safety and that voting at a meeting without prior notice is required. (l) If the board approves a change to the certification requirements or an increase in the certification fees, the council shall update all relevant areas of its Internet Web site and notify all certificate holders and affected applicants by a notice sent either by regular mail or email within 14 days of the board's action. 4603. Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the council in exercising its certification, registration, disciplinary authority, and other functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount. 4604. (a) In order to obtain certification as a massage therapist, an applicant shall submit a written application and provide the council with satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the following requirements: (1) The applicant is 18 years of age or older. (2) The applicant has successfully completed the curricula in massage and related subjects totaling a minimum of 500 hours, or the credit unit equivalent, that incorporates appropriate school assessment of student knowledge and skills. (A) Of the 500 hours, a minimum of 100 hours of instruction shall address anatomy and physiology, contraindications, health and hygiene, and business and ethics. (B) All of the 500 hours shall be from schools approved by the council. (3) The applicant has passed a massage and bodywork competency assessment examination that meets generally recognized psychometric principles and standards and that is approved by the council. The successful completion of this examination may have been accomplished before the date the council is authorized by this chapter to begin issuing certificates. (4) The applicant has successfully passed a background investigation pursuant to Section 4606, and has not violated any of the provisions of this chapter. (5) All fees required by the council have been paid. (6) The council may issue a certificate to an applicant who meets the qualifications of this chapter if he or she holds a current and valid registration, certification, or license from any other state whose licensure requirements meet or exceed those defined within this chapter. If an applicant has received education at a school that is not approved by the council, the council shall have the discretion to give credit for comparable academic work completed by an applicant in a program outside of California. (b) A certificate issued pursuant to this chapter and any identification card issued by the council shall be surrendered to the council by any certificate holder whose certificate is suspended or revoked. 4604.1. (a) In order to obtain certification as a massage establishment operator, an applicant shall submit a written application and provide the council with satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the following requirements: (1) The applicant is 18 years of age or older. (2) The applicant has successfully completed an educational program approved by the council that includes curricula determined to be relevant by the council related to public protection not to exceed 50 hours, or the credit unit equivalent, that incorporates appropriate school assessment of student knowledge and skills. The required hours shall be secured from one provider approved by the council to teach the educational program required by this paragraph. The council shall determine the relevant curricula and the total number of education hours, or credit unit equivalent, that shall be required for certification pursuant to this paragraph. (3) The applicant has successfully passed a background investigation pursuant to Section 4606 and has not violated any provision of this chapter. (4) All fees required by the council have been paid. (b) A person certified pursuant to this chapter as a massage therapist, massage practitioner, or conditionally certified as a massage practitioner who holds a valid and active certification and is also a sole provider shall be issued certification as a sole provider massage establishment operator upon written request and payment of all fees required by the council, without having to meet the other requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). The sole provider massage establishment operator certification shall be valid only as long as the certificate holder meets the definition of a sole provider set forth in subdivision (m) of Section 4601. The certificate shall terminate immediately, by operation of law without further action, when the certificate holder no longer meets the definition of a sole provider. (c) A certificate issued pursuant to this chapter and any identification card issued by the council shall be surrendered to the council by any certificate holder whose certificate is suspended or revoked. (d) A massage establishment operator may be held responsible and disciplined by the council for conduct by any employee, independent contractor, or volunteer working on the premises of the operator's establishment that violates any law or the policies and procedures of the council, if the operator knew or should have known of the conduct. (e) A certificate may be issued by the council pursuant to this section on or after January 1, 2016. 4604.2. (a) The council shall not accept applications to issue any new certificates to practice as a certified massage practitioner on or after August 1, 2015. (b) Certificates to practice as a certified massage practitioner for applications accepted prior to January 1, 2015, may be renewed without any additional educational requirements. (c) A massage practitioner certificate and any identification card issued by the council, shall be surrendered to the council by any certificate holder whose certificate is suspended or revoked. 4604.3. (a) A person who was issued a conditional certificate to practice as a massage practitioner shall, within five years of being issued the conditional certificate by the council, complete and report to the council the completion of, at least 30 hours of additional education per year from approved schools or from continuing education providers approved by the council, until he or she has completed a total of at least 250 hours of education. (b) A conditional certificate issued to any person pursuant to this section shall immediately be nullified, without need for further action by the council, if proof of completion of the requirements specified in subdivision (a) is not filed with the council within the time period specified in subdivision (a). (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 4604.2, the council shall issue a new certificate to practice as a massage practitioner to a person that successfully completes the requirements described in subdivision (a). 4605. Except as otherwise provided, a certification issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to renewal every two years in the manner prescribed by the council. A certificate issued by the council shall expire after two years unless renewed as prescribed. The council may provide for the late renewal of a certificateor registration. 4606. (a) Prior to issuing a certificate to an applicant, or designating a custodian of records, the council shall require the applicant or the custodian of records candidate to submit fingerprint images as directed by the council and in a form consistent with the requirements of this section. (b) The council shall submit the fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and nature of a record of state and federal level convictions and of state and federal level arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the applicant or candidate was released on bail or on his or her own recognizance pending trial. (c) Requests for federal level criminal offender record information received by the Department of Justice pursuant to this section shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and shall compile and disseminate a fitness determination regarding the applicant or candidate to the council. The Department of Justice shall provide information to the council pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code. (d) The Department of Justice and the council shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of processing the request for state and federal level criminal offender record information. (e) The council shall request subsequent arrest notification service from the Department of Justice, as provided under Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for all applicants for certification or registration, or custodian of records candidates for whom fingerprint images and related information are submitted to conduct a search for state and federal level criminal offender record information. (f) The council is authorized to receive arrest notifications and other background material about applicants and certificate holders from a city, county, or city and county. 4608. In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, a certificate holder shall: (a) Display his or her original certificate wherever he or she provides massage for compensation. A certificate holder shall have his or her identification card in his or her possession while providing massage services for compensation. (b) Provide his or her full name and certificate number upon the request of a member of the public, the council, or a member of law enforcement, or a local government agency charged with regulating massage or massage establishments, at the location where he or she is providing massage services for compensation. (c) Include the name under which he or she is certified and his or her certificate number in any and all advertising of massage for compensation. (d) Notify the council within 30 days of any changes in the certificate holder's home address or the address of any massage establishment or other location where he or she provides massage for compensation, excluding those locations where massage is only provided on an out-call basis, or is employed as a massage establishment operator. A certificate holder also shall notify the council of his or her primary email address, if any, and notify the council within 30 days of a change of the primary email address. 4609. (a) It is a violation of this chapter for an applicant or a certificate holder to commit any of the following acts, the commission of which is grounds for the council to deny an application for a certificate or to impose discipline on a certificate holder: (1) Unprofessional conduct, including, but not limited to, any of the following: (A) Engaging in sexually suggestive advertising related to massage services. (B) Engaging in any form of sexual activity on the premises of a massage establishment where massage is provided for compensation, excluding a residence. (C) Engaging in sexual activity while providing massage services for compensation. (D) Practicing massage on a suspended certificate or practicing outside of the conditions of a restricted certificate. (E) Providing massage of the genitals or anal region, or of female breasts, for compensation without the written consent of the person receiving the massage and supervision by a physician. (2) Procuring or attempting to procure a certificate by fraud, material misrepresentation, or mistake. (3) Failing to fully disclose all information requested on the application. (4) Impersonating an applicant or acting as a proxy for an applicant in any examination referred to in this chapter for the issuance of a certificate. (5) Impersonating a certificate holder, or permitting or allowing a noncertified person to use a certificate. (6) Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate, any provision of this chapter or any rule or bylaw adopted by the council. (7) Committing any fraudulent, dishonest, or corrupt act that is substantially related to the qualifications or duties of a certificate holder. (8) Denial of licensure, revocation, suspension, restriction, citation, or any other disciplinary action against an applicant or certificate holder by another state or territory of the United States, by any other government agency, or by another California health care professional licensing board. A certified copy of the decision, order, judgment, or citation shall be conclusive evidence of these actions. (9) Being convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, infraction, or municipal code violation, or being held liable in an administrative or civil action for an act, that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a certificate holder while holding a valid certificate. A record of the conviction or other judgment or liability shall be conclusive evidence of the crime or liability. (10) Dressing while engaged in the practice of massage for compensation in a manner that exposes the certificateholdersholder's breasts or genitals, is transparent or see-through, or that otherwise constitutes a violation of Section 314 of the Penal Code. (11) Committing any act punishable as a sexually related crime or being required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 290) of Title 9 of Part 1 of the Penal Code), or being required to register as a sex offender in another state. (b) The council may deny an application for a certificate for the commission of any of the acts described in subdivision (a). The council may also discipline a certificate holder, in any manner permitted by this chapter, for the commission of any of those acts by a certificate holder. 4610. (a) An applicant for a certificate shall not be denied a certificate, and a certificate holder shall not be disciplined pursuant to this chapter except according to procedures that satisfy the requirements of this section. Denial or discipline that is not in accord with this section shall be void and without effect. (b) The council may discipline a certificate holder by any, or a combination, of the following methods: (1) Placing the certificate holder on probation, which may include limitations or conditions on practice. (2) Suspending the certificate and the rights conferred by this chapter on a certificate holder or registered establishment for a period not to exceed one year. (3) Suspending or staying the disciplinary order, or portions of it, with or without conditions. (4) Revoking the certificate. (5) Taking other action as the council, as authorized by this chapter or policies adopted by the board, deems proper. (c) The council may issue an initial certificate on probation, with specific terms and conditions, to any applicant. (d) Any denial or discipline shall be decided upon and imposed in good faith and in a fair and reasonable manner. Any procedure that conforms to the requirements of subdivision (f) is fair and reasonable, but a court may also find other procedures to be fair and reasonable when the full circumstances of the denial or discipline are considered. (e) A procedure is fair and reasonable if the procedures specified in subdivision (f) or (g) are followed or if all of the following apply: (1) Denial or discipline shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence. In determining the basis for the denial or discipline, the council may consider all written documents or statements as evidence, but shall weigh the reliability of those documents or statements. (2) The provisions of the procedure are publically available on the council's Internet Web site. (3) The council provides 15 calendar days prior notice of the denial or discipline and the reasons for the denial or discipline. (4) The council provides an opportunity for the applicant, certificate holder, to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five days before the effective date of the denial or discipline, by a person or body authorized to decide whether the proposed denial or discipline should go into effect. (f) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, if the council receives notice that a certificate holder has been arrested and charges have been filed by the appropriate prosecuting agency against the certificate holder alleging a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 647 of the Penal Code or any other offense described in paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 4609, the council shall immediately suspend, on an interim basis, the certificate of that certificate holder, and take all of the following additional actions: (A) Notify the certificate holder at the address last filed with the council that the certificate has been suspended and the reason for the suspension within 10 business days. (B) The council shall notify the clerk of the city, county, or city and county when the certificate is suspended pursuant to this section within 10 business days of the decision to suspend. (2) Upon notice to the council that the charges described in paragraph (1) have resulted in a conviction, the council shall permanently revoke the suspended certificate. The council shall provide notice to the certificate holder, at the address last filed with the council by a method providing delivery confirmation, within 10 business days that it has evidence of a valid record of conviction and that the certificate will be revoked unless the certificate holder provides evidence within 15 days from the date of the council' s mailing of the notice that the conviction is either invalid or that the information is otherwise erroneous. (3) Upon notice that the charges described in paragraph (1) have resulted in an acquittal or have been otherwise dismissed prior to conviction, the certificate shall be immediately reinstated and the certificate holder and any establishment or employer that received notice pursuant to this section shall be notified of the reinstatement within 10 business days. (g) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, if the council determines that a certificate holder has committed an act punishable as a sexually related crime or a felony that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a certificate holder, the council may immediately suspend the certificate of that certificate holder. A determination to immediately suspend a certificate pursuant to this subdivision shall be based upon a preponderance of the evidence and the council shall also consider any available credible mitigating evidence before making a decision. Written statements by any person shall not be considered by the council when determining whether to immediately suspend a certificate unless made under penalty of perjury. If the council suspends a certificate in accordance with this subdivision, the council shall take all of the following additional actions: (A) Notify the certificate holder within 10 business days, at the address last filed with the council, by a method providing delivery confirmation, that the certificate has been suspended, the reason for the suspension, and that the certificate holder has the right to request a hearing pursuant to paragraph (2). (B) Notify by email or any other means consistent with the notice requirements of this chapter, any business or employer, whether public or private, that the council has in its records as employing or contracting with the certificate holder for massage services, and the California city, county, or city and county that has jurisdiction over that establishment or employer, that the certificate has been suspended within 10 business days. (2) A certificate holder whose certificate is suspended pursuant to this subdivision shall have the right to request, in writing, a hearing to challenge the factual basis for the suspension. If the holder of the suspended certificate requests a hearing on the suspension, the hearing shall be held within 30 calendar days after receipt of the request. A holder whose certificate is suspended based on paragraph (1) shall be subject to revocation or other discipline in accordance with subdivision (a). (3) If the council determines, after a hearing conducted pursuant to this subdivision, to lift the suspension, the certificate shall be immediately reinstated and the certificate holder, any establishment or employer, and the city, county, or city and county that has jurisdiction over that establishment or employer, that received notice pursuant to this section shall be notified of the reinstatement within 10 business days. (h) Any notice required under this section may be given by any method reasonably calculated to provide actual notice. Any notice given by mail shall be given by first-class or certified mail sent to the last address of theapplicant, certificate holder, or registered establishmentapplicant or certificate holder shown on the council's records. (i) An applicant or certificate holder may challenge a denial or discipline decision issued pursuant to this section in a court of competent jurisdiction. Any action challenging a denial or discipline, including any claim alleging defective notice, shall be commenced within one year after the effective date of the denial or discipline. If the action is successful, the court may order any relief, including reinstatement, that it finds equitable under the circumstances. (j) This section governs only the procedures for denial or discipline decision and not the substantive grounds for the denial or discipline. Denial or discipline based upon substantive grounds that violates contractual or other rights of the applicant, certificate holder, or registered establishment, or is otherwise unlawful, is not made valid by compliance with this section. 4611. (a) It is an unfair business practice for a person to do any of the following: (1) To hold himself or herself out or to use the title of "certified massage therapist," "certified massage practitioner," "certified operator," or any other term, such as "licensed," "certified," "CMT," or "CMP," in any manner whatsoever that implies or suggests that the person is certified as a massage therapist or massage establishment operator, unless that person currently holds an active and valid certificate issued by the council pursuant to this chapter. (2) To falsely state or advertise or put out any sign or card or other device, or to falsely represent to the public through any print or electronic media, that he or she or any other individual is licensed, certified, or registered by a governmental agency as a massage therapist or, massage practitioner, or massage establishment operator. (b) In addition to any other available remedies, engaging in any of the prohibited behaviors described in subdivision (a) constitutes unfair competition under Section 17200. 4612. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a city, county, or city and county shall not enact an ordinance that conflicts with this chapter, nor shall any ordinance enacted by a city, county, or city and county or enforce an ordinance that is in effect before the effective date of this chapter that conflicts with this chapteror Section 51034 of the Government Code .(b) A city, county, or city and county shall not enact an ordinance relating to a certified massage therapist, certified massage practitioner, or certified massage establishment operator that does any of the following:(1) Imposes a requirement that a certificate holder take or pass any test, medical examination, or background check, or comply with educational requirements beyond what is required by this chapter.(2) A prohibition against locked doors in a registered massage establishment with two or more people working at the establishment.(3) Imposes a requirement that an individual holding a certificate issued in accordance with this chapter obtain any other license, permit, certificate, or other authorization to provide massage for compensation.(4) Imposes a dress code requirement in excess of those already required of certificate holders pursuant to paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4608.(5) Prohibits a certificate holder from performing massage for compensation on the gluteal muscles, prohibits specific massage techniques recognized by the board as legitimate, or imposes any other specific restriction on professional practice beyond those set forth in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4608.(c)( b) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from licensing, regulating, prohibiting, or permitting an individual who provides massage for compensation without a valid certificate. 4614. (a) Upon the request of any law enforcement agency or any other representative of a local government agency with responsibility for regulating or administering a local ordinance relating to massage, the council shall provide information concerning a certificate holder, including, but not limited to, the current status of the certificate, any history of disciplinary actions taken against the certificate holder, the home and work addresses of the applicant or certificate holder, and any other information in the council's possession that is necessary to verify facts relevant to administering the local ordinance. (b) Upon the request of the council, any law enforcement agency or any other representative of a local government agency with responsibility for regulating or administering a local ordinance relating to massage or massage establishments is authorized to provide information to the council concerning an applicant or certificate holder, including, but not limited to, the current status of any local application or permit, any history of legal or administrative action taken against the applicant, certificate holder, any information related to criminal activity or unprofessional conduct allegedly engaged in by a certificate applicant or certificate holder, including, but not limited to, police reports and declarations of conduct, the home and work addresses of the applicant, certificate holder, and any other information in the possession of the law enforcement agency or other local government agency that is necessary to verify information or otherwise implement this chapter. (c) The council shall accept information provided by any law enforcement agency or any other representative of a local government agency with responsibility for regulating or administering a local ordinance relating to massage and review that information in a timely manner. 4615. (a) The council shall have the responsibility to determine whether the school, continuing education provider, or provider of education for massage establishment operators from which an applicant has obtained the education required by this chapter meets the requirements of this chapter. (1) If the council has any reason to question whether or not the applicant received the education that is required by this chapter from the school or schools that the applicant is claiming, the council shall investigate the facts to determine that the applicant received the required education prior to issuing a certificate. For purposes of this section and any other provision of this chapter that authorizes the councilisto receive factual information as a condition of taking any action, the council mayauthority toconduct oral interviews of the applicant and others or conduct any investigation deemed necessary to establish that the information received is accurate and satisfies the criteria established by this chapter. (b) The council may charge a reasonable fee for inspection or approval of schools, continuing education providers, and massage establishment operator education providers, provided the fees do not exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection or approval process. (c) The council shall develop policies and procedures governing the requirements and approval process for schools, continuing education providers, massage establishment operator education providers, curriculum and programs for schools, continuing education classes, and programs for massage establishment operator education providers, including provisions for acceptance of accreditation from a recognized accreditation body or other form of acceptance. 4616. The council shall be sued only in the county of its principal office, which shall be in Sacramento, unless otherwise designated by the council. 4617. The superior court of a county of competent jurisdiction may, upon a petition by any person, issue an injunction or any other relief the court deems appropriate for a violation of this chapter by any person or establishment operating in that county subject to the provisions of this chapter. An injunction proceeding under this section shall be governed by Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 4618. The Legislature finds and declares that due to important health, safety, and welfare concerns that affect the entire state, establishing a uniform standard of certification for massage practitioners, massage therapists, and massage establishment operators upon which consumers may rely to identify individuals who have achieved specified levels of education, training, and skill is a matter of statewide concern and not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, this chapter shall apply to all cities, counties, and cities and counties, including charter cities and charter counties. 4619. (a) This chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes. (b) The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. (c) If any provision of this chapter or the application of these provisions to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable. 4620. (a) On or before June 1, 2016, for the time period beginning on January 1, 2015, the council shall provide a report to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature that includes all of the following: (1) A feasibility study of licensure for the massage profession, including a proposed scope of practice, legitimate techniques of massage, and related statutory recommendations. (2) The council's compensation guidelines and current salary levels. (3) Performance metrics, including, but not limited to: (A) The annual number of denied certificate applications, and a brief description of the grounds for each decision. (B) The annual number of suspended, revoked, or otherwise disciplined certificates, and a brief description of the grounds for each decision. (C) The number of certificates taken off suspension, and a brief description of the grounds for each decision. (D) The number of schools inspected, approved, and disapproved, the number of schools that have had their approvals suspended or revoked, and a brief description of the grounds for each decision. (E) The total number of complaints about certificate holdersand registered establishmentsreceived annually, including a subtotal of complaints received from local law enforcement and the action taken by the council as a result of those complaints. (b) The council shall testify in person if requested by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. 4621. (a) This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends that date. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, the powers and duties of the council shall be subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. SEC. 4. Section 51034 of the Government Code is amended to read: 51034. (a) The Legislature in enacting this chapter recognizes the existing power of a city or county to regulate a lawful massage business pursuant to Section 37101, or pursuant to Section 16000 or 16100 of the Business and Professions Code, or under Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution. (b) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be a limitation on that existing power or on the existing authority of a city to license for revenue purposes. A city, county, or city and county shall not enact an ordinance that conflicts with the provisions of this section or Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code. (c) Nothing contained in this chapter shall authorize a city, county, or city and county to do any of the following: (1) Prohibit a person of one sex from engaging in the massage of a person of the other sex. (2) Define a massage establishment as an adult entertainment business, or otherwise regulate a massage establishment as adult entertainment. (3) Require a massage establishment to have windows or walls that do not extend from the floor to ceiling, or have other internal physicalstructures including,structures, including windows, that interfere with a client's reasonable expectation of privacy. (4) Impose client draping requirements that extend beyond the covering of genitalia and female breasts, or otherwise mandate that the client wear special clothing. (5) Prohibit a massage establishment from locking its external doorswhen there is only one individual working on the premises and that individual is engaged in providing massage for compensation to a clientif the massage establishment is a business entity owned by one individual with one or no employees or independent contractors . (6) Require a massage establishment to post any notice in an area that may be viewed by clients that contains explicit language describing sexual acts, mentions genitalia, or specific contraception devices. (7) Impose a requirement that a certificate holder take any test, medical examination, or background check or comply with education requirements beyond what is required by Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code. (8) Impose a requirement that an individual, other than a sole proprietor, holding a certificate issued in accordance with Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 4600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, obtain any other license, permit, certificate, or other authorization to provide massage for compensation. (9) Impose a dress code requirement in excess of those already imposed on a certificate holder pursuant to paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 4609 of the Business and Professions Code. (10) Prohibit a certificate holder from performing massage for compensation on the gluteal muscles, prohibit specific massage techniques recognized by the California Massage Therapy Council as legitimate, or impose any other specific restriction on professional practice beyond those set forth in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4609 of the Business and Professions Code, except as authorized by Section 460 of the Business and Professions Code.