By: Hancock S.B. No. 1130
 
  (Geren)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the provision of certain massage therapy instruction
  using distance learning.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 455.156, Occupations Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  An applicant for a license under this section must be an
  individual and:
               (1)  present evidence satisfactory to the department
  that the person has satisfactorily completed massage therapy
  studies in a 500-hour minimum, supervised course of instruction in
  a manner provided by Subsection (c) [provided by a massage therapy
  instructor at a massage school, a licensed massage school, a
  state-approved educational institution, or any combination of
  instructors or schools], in which at least:
                     (A)  200 hours are taught by a licensed massage
  therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy
  techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft
  tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish
  massage therapy techniques;
                     (B)  50 hours are dedicated to the study of
  anatomy;
                     (C)  25 hours are dedicated to the study of
  physiology;
                     (D)  50 hours are dedicated to the study of
  kinesiology;
                     (E)  40 hours are dedicated to the study of
  pathology;
                     (F)  20 hours are dedicated to the study of
  hydrotherapy;
                     (G)  45 hours are dedicated to the study of
  massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and
  professional ethics standards;
                     (H)  20 hours are dedicated to the study of
  health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and
  cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and
                     (I)  50 hours are spent in an internship program;
               (2)  pass the required examinations; and
               (3)  be at least 18 years of age.
         (c)  The hours of instruction required by Subsection (b) must
  be provided by a massage therapy instructor at a massage school,
  licensed massage school, state-approved educational institution,
  or any combination of instructors or schools. The hours of
  instruction required by Subsections (b)(1)(B)-(H) may be provided
  using distance learning.  Distance learning is not limited to live
  instruction.
         SECTION 2.  An applicant for a massage therapist license may
  satisfy the requirements of Sections 455.156(b)(1)(B)-(H),
  Occupations Code, using distance learning as provided by Section
  455.156(c), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, regardless of
  whether the application is submitted before, on, or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
  Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules necessary
  to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.