Government Relations
Government Relations Co-Chairs:
Charlie Behm & Adrienne Asta
Email:
governmentrelations@amtanj.org
Charlie Behm & Adrienne Asta
Email:
governmentrelations@amtanj.org
| American Massage Therapy Association |
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| New Jersey Chapter |
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| P.O. Box 4559, Toms River, NJ 08754 P: (973) 376-5151 F: (732) 608-6821 |
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| Human Trafficking proposed Bill A4147 |
On June 20, 2011, the Human Trafficking proposed Bill A4147 was
introduced in an effort regulate massage therapy advertising. The
following message was posted on the AMTA NJ Linked In page:
"In regards to Human Trafficking proposed Bill A4147, the AMTA NJ
Chapter Board has been closely monitoring this bill along with our
lobbyist and legislative consultant. Although we support the intention of
fighting against Human Trafficking, this is a much larger, more complex
issue that should not be attached to the Massage Therapy and Bodywork
Profession. Human trafficking occurs across all health and agricultural
communities.
Therefore, the AMTA NJ Chapter Board is NOT in favor of this bill.
National AMTA is working in collaboration with the Polaris Project
regarding specific agreed language that will not negatively impact the
massage therapy profession, and has met with representatives as recently
as last week, at the National Conference of State Legislators. In light of
the fact that we are presently not a licensed state, we will continue to
monitor this bill very closely, and follow the guidance of AMTA National in
their current efforts on state and local levels. As a member driven
organization, we are here to serve our members, so if you have any
questions, concerns, or comments regarding this proposed bill, please
email governmentrelations@amtanj.org "
Thank you, Lori Keith, AMTA NJ Chapter President
introduced in an effort regulate massage therapy advertising. The
following message was posted on the AMTA NJ Linked In page:
"In regards to Human Trafficking proposed Bill A4147, the AMTA NJ
Chapter Board has been closely monitoring this bill along with our
lobbyist and legislative consultant. Although we support the intention of
fighting against Human Trafficking, this is a much larger, more complex
issue that should not be attached to the Massage Therapy and Bodywork
Profession. Human trafficking occurs across all health and agricultural
communities.
Therefore, the AMTA NJ Chapter Board is NOT in favor of this bill.
National AMTA is working in collaboration with the Polaris Project
regarding specific agreed language that will not negatively impact the
massage therapy profession, and has met with representatives as recently
as last week, at the National Conference of State Legislators. In light of
the fact that we are presently not a licensed state, we will continue to
monitor this bill very closely, and follow the guidance of AMTA National in
their current efforts on state and local levels. As a member driven
organization, we are here to serve our members, so if you have any
questions, concerns, or comments regarding this proposed bill, please
email governmentrelations@amtanj.org "
Thank you, Lori Keith, AMTA NJ Chapter President
Posted August 21, 2011:
NEW RULE PROPOSAL
VOLUME 43, ISSUE 21
ISSUE DATE:NOVEMBER 7, 2011
Posted November 7, 2011:
Here is the link to the official Proposed Rules & Regs,
which were released today for public comment:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/proposal/maspro_110711.htm
Written comments must be submitted by January 6, 2012.
or: Click HERE FOR PDF FILE. (Please note Massage and
Bodywork Therapy rules begin on the second column of
the first page.)
Sally Hacking, our legislative representative, will be available at
the Holiday Membership Meeting on December 11th, 2011 to
discuss the new rule proposal. We encourage all members to
attend the meeting and provide us with your opinions and
comments.
VOLUME 43, ISSUE 21
ISSUE DATE:NOVEMBER 7, 2011
Posted November 7, 2011:
Here is the link to the official Proposed Rules & Regs,
which were released today for public comment:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/proposal/maspro_110711.htm
Written comments must be submitted by January 6, 2012.
or: Click HERE FOR PDF FILE. (Please note Massage and
Bodywork Therapy rules begin on the second column of
the first page.)
Sally Hacking, our legislative representative, will be available at
the Holiday Membership Meeting on December 11th, 2011 to
discuss the new rule proposal. We encourage all members to
attend the meeting and provide us with your opinions and
comments.
Public comment period on the New Rule Proposal Volume 43,
Issue 21 (Issue Date November 7, 2011) officially closed on
January 6, 2012. Please click on the following links to read
AMTA New Jersey Chapter's official comments to the
licensing board and support of Assembly Bill 4384.
Issue 21 (Issue Date November 7, 2011) officially closed on
January 6, 2012. Please click on the following links to read
AMTA New Jersey Chapter's official comments to the
licensing board and support of Assembly Bill 4384.
Posted January 10, 2012:
| New Jersey Licensure Regulation Rough Draft |
Posted February 26, 2011:
| “Closer and Closer we move towards State Licensing” by Charlie Behm and Sally Hacking |
Over the last six months, the AMTA, NJ Chapter Government Relations
Committee in unison with our Chapter leadership in particular our
Meetings to hear the Board discussions surrounding their proposed
DRAFT Rule.
Once the Rules were released to the public in early December 2010,
our Chapter as promised sent the word out to the membership via
email blasts and an automated phone messaging system. We
dedicated time at our December Chapter meeting with Sally Hacking,
our legislative consultant available to answer questions and give
feedback to the members.
The State Board offered two “INFORMAL” meetings, in order to get a
sense of how the community of practitioners would receive, respond,
or react to their draft. AMTA, NJ Chapter was represented at both of the
informal meetings.
We, as a Chapter submitted our collective concerns in response to the
proposed rules draft. Without detailing each point we asked for support
of the MbLEX exam as an option for one of the accepted exams, we
asked for revisions to some of the Continuing Education provisions,
revisions in some of the language in the rules, for clarification on fees
and we made a statement about our hope that the Sales Tax issue
would be revisited now that we are a Licensed profession. Other
Associations and individuals from the Profession also gave feedback
and addressed issues of their concern as well.
The State Board will meet to review all of the feedback received at the
informal meetings and via e-mails from practitioners across the state.
NJ is unique in that the two informal meetings were held in advance of
what will be the final Rule Proposal to be posted in the NJ Registry.
We will keep you apprised as the process continues via our website,
email blasts and if necessary another automated phone messages
when the formal hearings will take place. After the FORMAL hearings
take place we will hopefully have cleared our final hurdle of completion
and application phase will begin. It has been over 20 years that we as
a Chapter have been working at this so to see the finish line at this
point is very nice!
Finally, the Chapter continues to address the taxation imposed on our
profession (unless prescribed under physician's order) It is our hope
to be able to ultimately be relieved of this service tax.
Committee in unison with our Chapter leadership in particular our
Meetings to hear the Board discussions surrounding their proposed
DRAFT Rule.
Once the Rules were released to the public in early December 2010,
our Chapter as promised sent the word out to the membership via
email blasts and an automated phone messaging system. We
dedicated time at our December Chapter meeting with Sally Hacking,
our legislative consultant available to answer questions and give
feedback to the members.
The State Board offered two “INFORMAL” meetings, in order to get a
sense of how the community of practitioners would receive, respond,
or react to their draft. AMTA, NJ Chapter was represented at both of the
informal meetings.
We, as a Chapter submitted our collective concerns in response to the
proposed rules draft. Without detailing each point we asked for support
of the MbLEX exam as an option for one of the accepted exams, we
asked for revisions to some of the Continuing Education provisions,
revisions in some of the language in the rules, for clarification on fees
and we made a statement about our hope that the Sales Tax issue
would be revisited now that we are a Licensed profession. Other
Associations and individuals from the Profession also gave feedback
and addressed issues of their concern as well.
The State Board will meet to review all of the feedback received at the
informal meetings and via e-mails from practitioners across the state.
NJ is unique in that the two informal meetings were held in advance of
what will be the final Rule Proposal to be posted in the NJ Registry.
We will keep you apprised as the process continues via our website,
email blasts and if necessary another automated phone messages
when the formal hearings will take place. After the FORMAL hearings
take place we will hopefully have cleared our final hurdle of completion
and application phase will begin. It has been over 20 years that we as
a Chapter have been working at this so to see the finish line at this
point is very nice!
Finally, the Chapter continues to address the taxation imposed on our
profession (unless prescribed under physician's order) It is our hope
to be able to ultimately be relieved of this service tax.
| AMTA-NJ Official Statement and additional statements to the Licensing Board MbLEX Summary |
To apply for State Certification:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/massage/massappl.pdf
To reinstate a Lapse Certificate:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/massage/massrein.pdf
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/massage/massappl.pdf
To reinstate a Lapse Certificate:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/massage/massrein.pdf
Posted January 21, 2012:
Please click HERE for AMTA-NJ's official comments to
Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini in opposition to proposed
bill AB 456. If you would like to let Mary Pat Angelini know
your opposition, please use one of the following letters:
Letter from Consumers Opposing bill AB456
Letter from MTs Opposing bill AB456
Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini in opposition to proposed
bill AB 456. If you would like to let Mary Pat Angelini know
your opposition, please use one of the following letters:
Letter from Consumers Opposing bill AB456
Letter from MTs Opposing bill AB456
| ___________________________________ |
Posted February 20, 2012:
Please click HERE for AMTA-NJ's offical support letter to
Senator Michael J Doherty's Senate Bill 1529. This bill
supports removal of the imposition of sales tax currently
attached to the Massage Therapy and Bodywork profession.
Senator Michael J Doherty's Senate Bill 1529. This bill
supports removal of the imposition of sales tax currently
attached to the Massage Therapy and Bodywork profession.
| ___________________________________ |