LRB-3596/1
MPG:kjf
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
February 5, 2016 - Introduced by Representative Tittl, cosponsored by Senator
Harsdorf. Referred to Committee on Workforce Development.
AB870,1,6 1An Act to renumber and amend 460.15; to amend 460.01 (3) and 460.01 (4);
2and to create 460.01 (1g) (d), 460.01 (1g) (e), 460.03 (4), 460.04 (2) (h) and
3460.15 (2) of the statutes; relating to: the scope of practice of massage
4therapists and bodywork therapists, the unauthorized practice of massage
5therapy or bodywork therapy, granting rule-making authority, and providing
6a criminal penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill authorizes the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy by a
massage therapy or bodywork therapy extern or intern under the supervision of a
licensed massage therapist or bodywork therapist. The bill requires the Massage
Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board to establish
standards for that practice.
The bill also expands the scope of the practice of massage therapy or bodywork
therapy to include all of the following:
1. The application of structural and elastic supportive tape to the skin.
2. The provision of body spa services, as defined by the board by rule, including
the application of body wraps and scrubs.
3. Active and passive stretching.
4. Moving a body part through assisted range of motion.
5. Instruction on the self-application outside of the treatment setting of certain
massage therapy and bodywork therapy techniques.

Finally, the bill provides that the penalty for the unauthorized practice of
massage therapy or bodywork therapy is a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for
up to 90 days or both.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB870,1 1Section 1. 460.01 (1g) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
AB870,2,32 460.01 (1g) (d) The application of structural and elastic supportive tape to the
3skin.
AB870,2 4Section 2. 460.01 (1g) (e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB870,2,65 460.01 (1g) (e) The provision of body spa services, as defined by the affiliated
6credentialing board by rule, including the application of body wraps and scrubs.
AB870,3 7Section 3. 460.01 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB870,2,128 460.01 (3) "Manual action" includes holding, positioning, active and passive
9stretching, moving a body part through assisted range of motion,
rocking, kneading,
10compressing, decompressing, gliding, or percussing the soft tissue of the human body
11or applying a passive range of motion to the human body without joint mobilization
12or manipulation.
AB870,4 13Section 4. 460.01 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB870,3,414 460.01 (4) "Massage therapy" or "bodywork therapy" means the science and
15healing art that uses manual actions and adjunctive therapies to palpate and
16manipulate the soft tissue of the human body in order to improve circulation, reduce
17tension, relieve soft tissue pain, or increase flexibility. "Massage therapy" or
18"bodywork therapy" includes determining whether manual actions and adjunctive
19therapies, including instruction on the self-application outside of the treatment

1setting of manual actions and adjunctive therapies,
are appropriate or
2contraindicated, or whether a referral to another health care practitioner is
3appropriate. "Massage therapy" or "bodywork therapy" does not include making a
4medical, physical therapy, or chiropractic diagnosis.
AB870,5 5Section 5. 460.03 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
AB870,3,106 460.03 (4) A massage therapy or bodywork therapy extern or massage therapy
7or bodywork therapy intern who practices massage therapy or bodywork therapy
8under the supervision of a massage therapist or bodywork therapist licensed under
9this chapter and subject to conditions established by the affiliated credentialing
10board by rule under s. 460.04 (2) (g).
AB870,6 11Section 6. 460.04 (2) (h) of the statutes is created to read:
AB870,3,1512 460.04 (2) (h) Conditions for the practice under s. 460.03 (4) of massage therapy
13or bodywork therapy externs and massage therapy or bodywork therapy interns.
14The rules promulgated under this paragraph shall define "massage therapy or
15bodywork therapy extern" and "massage therapy or bodywork therapy intern."
AB870,7 16Section 7. 460.15 of the statutes is renumbered 460.15 (1) and amended to
17read:
AB870,3,2018 460.15 (1) Any Except as provided in sub. (2), any person who violates this
19chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter shall forfeit not more than
20$1,000 for each violation.
AB870,8 21Section 8. 460.15 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB870,3,2322 460.15 (2) Whoever violates s. 460.02 may be fined not more than $1,000 or
23imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both.
AB870,3,2424 (End)
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