HB319 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Board of Massage Therapy, boards and commissions, criminal history background check required for licensees, sexual misconduct further provided for, certain reporting requirements provided for, Secs. 34-43-12, 34-43-13, 34-43-14, 34-43-15 am'd.

Summary

HB 319 would require the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy to perform criminal history background checks for all massage therapist license applicants and renewals, add reporting for sexual misconduct, and refer misconduct cases to the district attorney for prosecution.

What This Bill Does

It requires criminal history checks for every massage therapist license applicant and for license renewals, with a background check fee set by the board. It makes proof of sexual misconduct with a client grounds for suspending or revoking a therapist's license. It requires therapists to report a reasonable belief that another therapist has engaged in sexual misconduct with a client, with penalties for failing to report, and the board must refer alleged misconduct to the local district attorney for investigation and prosecution. It also outlines fee changes and notes the local-fund expenditure implications under the constitution.

Who It Affects

• Applicants for a massage therapist license and current licensees in Alabama, who would undergo criminal history background checks, pay a background check fee, and be subject to renewal requirements that include continued checks.
• Massage therapists who engage in sexual misconduct with a client or who fail to report suspected misconduct, and the clients/public served by massage therapy, who could face disciplinary actions (suspension, revocation, fines) and enhanced oversight as the board refers cases to prosecutors.

Key Provisions

• Requires criminal history background checks for all license applicants and renewals; the board sets the background check fee; consent to background checks is required and refusal can lead to denial of licensure or renewal.
• Defines sexual misconduct with a client as grounds for suspension or revocation; requires reporting of suspected misconduct by other therapists within 30 days of discovery, with penalties for failure to report; allows the board to impose fines up to $10,000 and to suspend, revoke, or deny licenses; repeated violations trigger a mandatory suspension of at least three years and a $10,000 fine; the board must refer misconduct to the local district attorney for investigation and prosecution.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Boards and Commissions