S.B. No. 2167

AN ACT

relating to the licensing and regulation of massage therapy.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 455.206, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 455.206. NEW LICENSE REQUIRED FOR [ESTABLISHMENT] CHANGE OF LOCATION OF ESTABLISHMENT OR SCHOOL [PROHIBITED]. A massage establishment or massage school may not change the location of the establishment or school without obtaining a new massage establishment or massage school license under this chapter, as appropriate.

SECTION 2. Section 455.251, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:

(d) If the applicant for a massage establishment or massage school license under this chapter is subject to an emergency order under Section 51.3511 for a ground described by Section 455.252, the commission or executive director may delay the determination to approve or refuse the issuance of the license for the period during which the emergency order is in effect. For purposes of this subsection, if the applicant is an entity, the applicant is considered to be subject to the emergency order if any owner or operator of the entity is subject to the emergency order.

(e) The commission or executive director may delay the determination to approve or refuse the issuance of a massage establishment or massage school license for a period of up to 90 days after the date on which the application for the license is submitted if the commission or executive director has reasonable cause to believe an offense under Chapter 20A, Penal Code:

(1) is being or is likely to be committed at the location for which the license is sought; or

(2) was committed at a massage establishment or massage school owned or operated by the applicant or, if the applicant is an entity, operated by any owner or operator of the applicant.

(f) For purposes of Subsection (e), the date that an application is submitted is the date on which a complete application is received by the department, including any additional requested materials.

SECTION 3. Section 455.351, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:

(f-1) A civil penalty recovered in an action by a district or county attorney under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the county where the court is located and used only for purposes of combatting human trafficking. A civil penalty recovered in an action by a municipal attorney under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the municipality and used only for purposes of combatting human trafficking.

SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act to Chapter 455, Occupations Code.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2167 passed the Senate on April 24, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2167 passed the House, with amendment, on May 27, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 1, three present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor