New Hampshire HB 1458: relative to the licensing of massage establishments and massage, reflexology, structural integration, and Asian bodywork facilities.

Bill Text

HB 1458-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

19Feb2026... 0638h

19Feb2026... 0833h

26Mar2026... 1188h

2026 SESSION

 26-3250

 09/08

HOUSE BILL 1458-FN

AN ACT relative to the licensing of massage establishments and massage, reflexology, structural integration, and Asian bodywork facilities.

SPONSORS: Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Harriott-Gathright, Hills. 10; Rep. Lascelles, Hills. 14; Rep. Tripp, Rock. 13

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes a licensure requirement to operate massage establishments and massage, reflexology, structural integration, and Asian bodywork facilities and establishes standards for the operation of such facilities.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Feb2026... 0638h

19Feb2026... 0833h

26Mar2026... 1188h 26-3250

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the licensing of massage establishments and massage, reflexology, structural integration, and Asian bodywork facilities.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Massage Therapists and Massage Establishments. RSA 328-B:2, VII is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 

 VII. “Massage establishment” means a commercial location where massage is advertised, and where massage is performed by more than one person. "Massage establishment" does not include locations where massage is offered as an adjunct to medical care in a location or facility operated by licensed healthcare professionals operating within their scope of practice, temporary and incidental massage offered in the open in public accommodations, or other exceptions as permitted by rules. 

 VII-a. “Massage establishment proprietor” means the person operating a massage establishment, specifically a person responsible for the lease or ownership of the massage establishment, daily operations, and hiring or contracting with massage therapists practicing within the establishment. "Massage establishment proprietor" does not include a property owner not involved in business operations. A proprietor shall ensure that they and all massage therapists employed or contracted for by the establishment hold a massage therapy license. 

 2 Massage Therapists and Massage Establishments; Prohibited Acts. RSA 328-B:3, II is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 

 II. Act as a massage establishment proprietor without holding the proprietor license and a massage therapy license issued pursuant to this chapter. 

 3 New Subparagraphs; Massage Therapists and Massage Establishments; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 328-B:4, VII by inserting after subparagraph (l) the following new subparagraphs: 

 (m) Exemptions from the definition of massage establishment which maintain the intention to require a proprietor license only for those locations where there are multiple massage therapists working in a location where there is no other oversight or visibility to the public or passersby. The board shall recommend an exemption to the definition of massage establishment to permit occasional assistance by another licensed massage therapist. 

 (n) The qualifications for a massage establishment proprietor including verification of identity through provision of a social security number or tax identification number and no prior convictions under RSA 633, RSA 632-A, RSA 645:2, RSA 649-A or similar laws in other states, as verified by a background check conducted by the department of safety, division of state police and a background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with all associated costs to be paid by the licensee. 

 4 Massage Therapists and Massage Establishments; Advisory Board of Massage Therapists. Amend RSA 328-B:5 to read as follows: 

 328-B:5 Advisory Board of Massage Therapists. 

 The executive director shall establish the advisory board of massage therapists. The board shall consist of 3 massage therapists who are licensees in the state of New Hampshire. The members shall be appointed for 3 years, staggered so that the term of one member expires each year, and they shall hold office until successors are appointed[, and shall serve on the board without any compensation]. In no event shall a member serve more than 2 full consecutive terms. The board shall: 

 I. Review the qualifications of applicants for licenses. 

 II. Review the qualifications of individuals desiring to conduct massage workshops or seminars who are not licensed in this state. 

 III. Review the continuing educati