Wichita City Council members have approved a new ordinance regulating massage therapists and businesses.
The city hopes the regulations will eliminate illegal activity.
The Wichita Police Department began investigated massage parlors in 2014 after the city received complaints about possible prostitution.
According to the Wichita Police Department, investigations revealed that some of the women who were being used in illegal massage businesses were, in fact, victims of human trafficking.
During follow-up investigations, the operators and owners of these businesses admitted to settling in Kansas because there was no state law regulating massage businesses.
Conrad Jestmore, whose wife is a message therapist, spoke in support of the ordinance at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“Clearly something is needed to deal with human trafficking,” he said. “It’s a terrible problem, and I think this ordinance will go a long way to deal with that type of situation.”
The ordinance will require permits for massage therapists and licenses for businesses. All employees must be at least 18 years old, and cannot be registered sex offenders.
Business License Requirements:
- Requires all Fees Paid
- Requires Name of Owner, Business Type, Location, Business Name
- Minimum of 18 Years of Age
- 5 Years Preceding, No Convictions under Felony/Moral Turpitude
- Not currently under Indictment Felony/Moral Turpitude
- Not a Registered Sex Offender
- No Suspension/Revocation of Similar License in Other Jurisdictions
- Must Comply with Building, Fire, Health and Zoning Laws
- All Financial Interest Persons Must Meet Same Criteria
Therapists Permit Requirements:
- Minimum of 18 Years of Age
- Lawful Citizen/U.S. Resident
- 5 Years Preceding, No Convictions under Felony/Moral Turpitude
- Not currently under Indictment Felony/Moral Turpitude
- Not a Registered Sex Offender
- No Suspension/Revocation of Similar License Other Jurisdictions
- Must meet one of four training standards:
- Satisfactorily Passed Massage and Bodywork Licensure Exam
- Satisfactorily Passed National Certificate Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Exams
- Official Transcript Completing 500 Instructor Taught Hours
- Proof 150 Hours Education Accredited Institution, 12 Hours Continuing
- Education Previous 5 years and Membership with a Nationally Recognized Massage Therapy Association
Requirements for Existing Therapists (Grandfather Clause) Must meet one of the following:
- 500 Hours Instruction Relating to Massage Therapy, School or Comparable Legal Authority Other State (Verified by Affidavit)
- 300 Hours Training In Massage Therapy Previous 3 Years
- Practiced a Minimum of 10 Hours Per Week During Previous five (5) Years (Verified by Affidavit and one Additional Documentation)
- Successfully Passed the Nationally Recognized Cert. Examination Provided by Nation Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
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