HB1469

I support this bill and want to put a stop to human trafficking!

I strongly support this bill. Human trafficking needs to be stopped! Thank you for bringing this bill to hearing.

I support this bill fully.

Please support HB1469 which proposes a common sense approach to combatting illicit massage parlors and human trafficking.

I am a member of GFWC, GFWC - NH with over 800 NH Clubwomen. Our GFWC Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Education makes this a very important legislation in stopping human trafficking in NH.

To our Honorable Legislator; As a New Hampshire Resident, a Registered Nurse and regular massage patient I am indeed IN Support for HB 1469... The public has a right to expect that a massage therapist has the qualifications needed to practice effectively and safely. Legal recognition of the practice of massage therapy and clearly-stated requirements to practice are essential to promote the profession and protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Legal recognition of massage therapy in the form of state licensing creates standards of minimum competency for entry level practitioners and determines who can represent themselves to the public as state licensed massage therapists. Competency is measured and enforced through formal education, training and examination requirements. Scope of practice for massage therapists is a legal definition identifying the procedures, actions and processes unique to the practice of massage therapy. A scope of practice helps guide healthcare practitioners seeking to refer patients to a massage therapist and making clear to the public what a massage therapist is legally able to do in their practice. Legal recognition of massage therapy through licensure enables a state or jurisdiction to discipline a massage therapist when warranted and to create standards of care. States cannot regulate a profession that is not formally recognized in statute. Professional licensing laws also enhance public safety by enforcing disciplinary actions against non-compliant practitioners. Statewide licensing is an instrument for public protection to ensure a person cannot claim to be a massage therapist without demonstrated education training and knowledge. Licensing is the most rigorous form of professional regulation, making it a violation of state law for anyone to practice as a massage therapist unless he or she has obtained a license. Legal recognition of massage therapy through licensure protects the public through establishing a consistent standard of practice which is enforceable by a professional code of ethics. Licensing also establishes a formal grievance process for consumers that helps prevent unethical and/or non-compliant massage therapists from continuing to practice. Under U.S. law, authority rests with states to regulate professions that have an impact on the health, safety and welfare of the public rather than through national legislation. 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands each regulate the massage therapy profession. Depending on the state, this could be in the form of state registration, state certification or state licensure. Cities, counties or other local governments also may regulate the practice of massage, but they must do so within any state regulation. Related: STATES WITH MASSAGE PRACTICE LAWS AMTA recognizes that state government regulation of massage therapy is the best avenue to meet the needs of the public and the massage therapy profession. Leaving massage therapy regulation decisions to local government results in inconsistent regulation or none at all, increasing the administrative and financial burdens on massage therapists. AMTA believes that state licensure is the most effective means for the states to regulate our profession. The regulation of massage therapy requires that only a person who has met the specific requirements for that state can obtain a license, engage in the practice of massage therapy and advertise to the public that they are practicing massage therapy. Regulation also applies criminal penalties for people who practice without a valid massage therapy license, establishing a minimum level of competency for entry level practitioners necessary to safely and effectively practice. What Are the Benefits of Professional Licensing? AMTA believes that the following are some specific benefits of professional licensing: Protection of the public through the establishment of high standards for entry into the profession. Protection of the public through the regulation of practice and recourse to effective disciplinary action. Fair and consistent regulation applying to the entire state, regardless of location within the state. The right of massage therapists to define their practice, through proposed legislation and regulation under an authoritative or advisory board of massage therapy. Source: https://www.amtamassage.org/state-regulations/why-we-need-massage-therapy-regulation-licensing/#:~:text=Legal%20recognition%20of%20massage%20therapy,to%20create%20standards%20of%20care.

This one is a no-brainer. No legitimate business would resist the licensing and monitoring of their activities in order to make the state safer for all. So many simple and good things here to be done. This is a great opportunity. Please move this forward.

Please pass this legislation to end sex trafficking in massage parlors!

This should not be a question for Anyone. Human Trafficking is a heinous crime! NH stand up For what is right!

I am a member of GFWC, GFWC - NH with over 800 NH Clubwomen, and that our GFWC Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Education makes this a very important legislation in stopping human trafficking in NH.

HB1469 promotes and protects public safety and will help to prevent human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This bill would require all massage businesses to be licensed, ensuring that illicit massage businesses can be effectively identified and that the proper health and safety protocols are being followed and assure consumers that their own personal health and safety is not at risk when they seek services at legitimate businesses. HB1469 will also protect licensed massage therapists, who frequently experience sexual harassment from clients seeking illicit services.

As a resident of NH who supports legislative bills that address some of the wrongs in our state, including the illicit trafficking of women, I urge members of the Executive Departments & Administration to support HR1469. Thank you.

Dear Legislators, As the President of the General Federation of Women's Club - NH, representing over 800 clubwomen in NH, I am writing in support of this bill. The General Federation of Women's Club, an over 135 year old women voluntary organization, Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Education supports all legislation that aims at stopping human trafficking.

Please help to pass this bill

We need to end human trafficking

Please support HB 1469. As a resident and Town Councilor in Derry, NH, I have seen these establishments for what they are, well established human and sex trafficking networks. We had 2 hearings in Derry where "owners" of establishments in Derry were asking for a reversal of decisions to close their businesses. In both cases, the reasons for shutting them down were that the listed owner was supposed to be a sole practitioner. There was evidence found on websites advertising young women, some questionably over 18, who were providing massages. None of these girls were the listed owner. Perhaps the saddest part of all were the "owners", women who did not speak any English and whose body language showed they were at best uncomfortable at the hearing and, at worst, scared. We have had success in getting these establishments out of Derry but know they are just going to go someplace else. Please support HB1469 and help break the cycle and stop the trafficking of innocent women.

Truly a no brainer. I implore you to do the right thing on this and vote in favor of this bill. It is the right (and humane) action to take.

I support this bill to help stop the horrific practice of human trafficking. Enacting laws and licensing requirements is a good step toward this goal

The proliferation of unregulated massage businesses employing women as sex workers has encouraged human trafficking into our state. Please give municipalities the laws they need to stop this.

As retired Planning Director for the Town of Derry, 1984-2024, I saw first hand the negative impacts these type of businesses can have in a comminity as well as the personal toll they have on those who are forced to work in that industry. I support HB 1469 and support its passage. Thank you.

New Hampshire must change the law so those who run this illegal and criminal circuit which hurts women sometimes children stops. These types of massage parlors have spread through NH around every corner in plain sight and it’s horrific. Stop human trafficking now!

I support this proposed bill and its protections for safety and transparency.

This country is in need of this

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Position recorded without written comment.