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I I I Council Meeting Minutes November 14, 1995 Page 6 Council Business. continl!~d Samuelson knows of accredited schools which provide 6 month and 150 hour certification programs. She questioned if the 500 hour requirement appears too lengthy for a person practicing as an accessory use. Mattila said the 500 hour requirement was a result of discussions with Higgens and review of other ordinances. The preferred option is inclusion of the training requirement, and any existing licensed massage therapists in the City could be given five years to upgrade. Mattila spoke to the licensed massage therapist in the City, and this person appeared open to the requirements but felt more time is needed to complete the requirement. Samuelson noted that many schools provide a license at 150 hours; and asked if existing therapists would be grand fathered in. Mattila explained there are two types of massage schools (non-profit and for-profit); non-profits are registered at the higher education office, and for-profits are licensed with that office. The licensing process is more involved than the registration process. The amendment includes language stating the school should be a member of good standing with the Minnesota and American Massage Therapy Associations. Mattila said Ann Kelley of the Minnesota Higher Education Office recommends the language include: "or licensed, or accredited by a federally recognized accrediting agency". Some schools require only 150 or 175 study hours to receive a certificate, but staff was advised this does not constitute a comprehensive study program. Nancy Higgens, massage therapist, said a person receiving 500 hours of training is exposed to courses such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Completion of 500 hours is needed in order to protect the public's health. Currently, no governmental agency provides accreditation for massage schools. The higher education office can license and register schools; and the Federal Government inspects non-profit schools in terms of their non-profit status. Fulton said that from a conservative approach, 500 hours appears most appropriate. Samuelson said that because there is currently no licensing body, the City should look at accessory use versus primary use as the method for hour requirements. Benke suggested 150 hours for an accessory use and 500 hours for a primary use. City Attorney Charlie LeFevere considers the 500 hour requirement as consumer protection against injury, and the police investigation process assures it is less likely businesses could turn into elicit. The health club amendment prevents inappropriate businesses, and the 500 hour requirement protects against improper activities. If the Council's primary concern is to make massage safe, than the 500 hour requirement makes sense. However, if Council is willing to decrease the hour requirement than other provisions could be provided. Benke said it appears these businesses are becoming more popular, and suggested the accessory use requirement be 150 hours, and 500 hours for a primary use. Incentives could be built in to encourage increasing education hours. Samuelson asked if there is possibility of future State licensing. Higgens said there has been some discussion, but therapists have gone directly to their communities. Williams said this service could be appended to an existing licensing board or a new one may be created by the Legislature. Council Business Amendments to Massage Ordinance Report 95-212