DeSantis Approves Law Granting Over $1 Million In Resources To Crack Down On Massage Parlors

Photo for illustrative purpose only. Photo by Ron DeSantis | Facebook

A massage is supposed to be a relaxing experience that promotes a person’s health, and the massage establishment’s environment is supposed to be safe for everyone involved. To uphold this safety, House Bill 197 intends to increase the Department of Health’s (DOH) authority and allocate more resources to support the DOH.

Effective as of July 1, 2024, the DOH can suspend a massage therapist or establishment’s license when an employee is arrested for anything related to prostitution, kidnapping, or human trafficking. The State Surgeon General, currently Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, is also authorized to suspend licenses in circumstances of probable cause for sexual misconduct. 

In fact, this law strictly prohibits sexual activity within massage parlors. In addition, massage establishments are not permitted to be used as any sort of dwelling or sleeping quarters unless the building is directly zoned as residential.

Furthermore, the DOH and law enforcement are permitted to “investigate massage establishments for new required and prohibited acts” for the purpose of catching anyone involved with human trafficking.

When conducting an investigation into a massage establishment, DOH investigators are required to ask all employees, including the massage therapists, for a valid form of government identification. The DOH must inform a federal immigration office if any employee is unable to do so.

To aid the DOH in enforcing this new law, the House Bill 197 opens eight full-time equivalent positions, provides the DOH $925,080 in recurring funds, and grants the DOH $108,952 in non-recurring funds. Totaling over $1 million, the funds are being issued from the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund.

House Bill 197 was originally prepared by the Health Policy Committee, filed on October 17, 2023; and passed unanimously in the Senate and House with votes of 38-0 and 118-0, respectively. It was presented to Governor DeSantis on April 22, 2024, and he approved it on May 6, 2024.

For complete details on this new law, click here to read the full 17 pages of House Bill 197. For the official summary of the bill, click here. 
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Article by Ema Tibbetts