Lawmakers push for massage parlors to have more accountability and greater oversight
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Accountability and greater oversight, that's what lawmakers are hoping massage parlors will have, after seeing several cases throughout the state where some shops have promoted prostitution and human trafficking.
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Albuquerque police raided what they called an illegal massage parlor last July, after connecting the building to a website offering sex services. And while they charged a woman with promoting prostitution, the case has since been dismissed. Now legislators are introducing a bill to regulate how those businesses operate.
'Currently, there's no type of licensing process that offers protection or checks for what's happening in these businesses,' said Sen. Heather Bergmans (D-Albuquerque.)
The Massage Therapy Licensure Bill would put massage therapy establishments under the state's regulation and licensing department. 'With having an established licensure process and inspection process for these types of businesses, we can prevent human trafficking. And if that situation is happening, have another easier avenue for discovering that situation,' said Bergmans.
After being heard in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, the bill faced some opposition. 'I think what's going to happen to some of these places that are probably operating doing nefarious activities is they're going to go to the home place,' said Senator Jay C. Block (R).
Since the bill currently excludes home-based providers, concerned legislators say the same illicit behaviors could continue under the radar.
But supporters offer a different perspective, 'We know that it's really important to legitimate professional massage therapists who do this in their home to not have to also have the burdens of regulating their home as if it is an establishment,' said Bergmans.
The bill was first introduced in the 2019 legislative session but was not passed. This year, with two weeks left in the session, supporters are hopeful it will be signed into law.
'If there is a situation of human trafficking, and someone is aware of that, they can always tip a police officer off or notify law enforcement in some way, but that's really the only way right now,' said Bergmans.
The Massage Therapy Licensure bill passed on a 6-4 vote and is headed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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