Title
Resolution of Support relative to LRB 19-0761 Relating to Violation of the Law Relating to the Practice of Massage Therapy or Bodywork Therapy, Providing a Penalty, and Providing a Criminal Penalty, and a Request of the State Legislature to Include in the State Statute Chapter 460 a Penalty to Businesses for Offenses.
Body
WHEREAS, Police in Wisconsin municipalities have uncovered prostitution and potential human trafficking occurring in massage parlors, including locations in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties; and
WHEREAS, In Wisconsin, per State Statute Chapter 460, massage therapists and bodywork therapists are governed by the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board and are licensed by the state through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). While the vast majority of businesses that offer massage and bodywork therapy services are professional, operate with the greatest of integrity, and follow the law, current statutes leave very limited recourse for our local communities to take swift action in the event that an unscrupulous operation is discovered; and
WHEREAS, After West Allis Chief of Police Patrick Mitchell and Alderman May contacted Representative Sanfelippo's office seeking help, Representative Sanfelippo's office worked with DSPS to determine a plan that would empower local governments to take enforcement actions while still maintaining the current state-level licensure model; and
WHEREAS, Representatives Sanfelippo and Hutton, and Senators Kooyenga, Fitzgerald and Jacque have prepared LRB 19-0761 to allow local governments to pass ordinances giving their police departments the ability to issue municipal citations in cases of illegal activity. LRB 19-0761 also allows the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board to assess a fine of up to $1,000 for each separate offense in addition to, or in place of, any other disciplinary actions taken by the board. This ...
Click here for full text