State Regulation of Massage Therapy Will Improve Public Heal...( HARRISBURG Pa. Aug. 5 --...),Health

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At its initial meeting today, the State Board of Massage Therapy began drafting preliminary regulations that will protect the health and safety of residents, said Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes.

"By requiring massage therapists in Pennsylvania to obtain proper education, skills and training, we can provide the best and most up-to-date health procedures for the general public," Cortes said. "Creating a freestanding board of regulation for massage therapy will allow practitioners' needs to be more directly addressed, allowing for efficiency and professionalism in business."

The State Board of Massage Therapy met today in Harrisburg to begin drafting preliminary regulations, to elect officers and address other operational matters. The board operates under the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which now provides administrative and legal support to 29 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions.

"Professional licensing protects the health, safety and welfare of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners," said Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Basil L. Merenda.

Governor Edward G. Rendell signed Act 118 of 2008 into law on Oct. 8.

The act created a board that includes Commissioner Merenda, two public members, the Secretary of Health or designee, the Attorney General or designee, and six professional members.

The act requires that the professional members must have practiced massage therapy for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment.

The initial board members are:

• Loreli H. Bauer, professional member, Bucks County
• Nicole Beck, Office of Attorney General Designee, Dauphin County
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