California Massage Therapy Council.

Assembly Member Berman's massage therapy oversight legislation revises California's regulatory framework for massage professionals through changes to the California Massage Therapy Council's governance, operations, and enforcement capabilities. The bill modifies the council's 13-member board structure by eliminating the California Community Colleges Chancellor's appointment authority and requiring the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools' appointee to represent an approved massage school. It also adds another certified massage therapist or practitioner position selected by qualified professional associations.

The legislation establishes compensation limits for council employees and contractors, capping annual pay at levels equivalent to specified state officer salaries. Certificate holders must now notify the council of legal name changes within 30 days, in addition to existing requirements for reporting address changes. The bill also expands disciplinary grounds to include mental health-based public safety threats and insanity findings, while aligning certificate denial standards with other professional licensing boards.

To enhance enforcement coordination, the council must share certificate holder information with law enforcement and regulatory agencies regarding massage establishments, human trafficking, organized crime, and related matters, regardless of jurisdiction. The legislation mandates Robert's Rules of Order for council meetings and requires 45-day public comment periods for policy changes substantially affecting certificate holders. Appeals of final council decisions must be heard at board meetings scheduled at least 120 days after the appeal deadline. The bill extends the Massage Therapy Act's sunset date from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2030, maintaining legislative oversight of council operations through policy committee review.