Government Relations Update

Dear Fellow Members,

In the past, news regarding Government Relations was distributed to the membership in the AMTA – RI Newsletter.

A new procedure will be implemented starting now. It will include the following methods:

  • Our e-blast system will be used to notify members when there is important information that affects our livelihood.
  • It will be marked Government Relations and if urgent (like our last E-blast), it will be marked URGENT. We will only send out e-blasts marked Government Relations when it’s important.
  • E-blast’s and the AMTA-RI chapter website will also be used to provide follow up information with the National AMTA’s guidelines of 72 hours.
  • Information about State wide legislation is published monthly on the National AMTA website and is also sent to RI Government Relations members from National.

National AMTA does not have the resources to regulate local cities and towns. This is where your help is needed. AMTA – RI Government Relations is a volunteer driven group. We do not have the ability or manpower to monitor all 39 municipalities. The reason we knew Providence was creating a bodywork ordinance, two years ago, was because a member brought it to our attention.

HELP US HELP YOU!
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
~ Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter)

This needs to be a group effort. Keep abreast of what is happening in you local towns. It is likely many of the cities and towns may be following in the steps of Providence, Coventry, Pawtucket, Cranston and Central Falls, once the Bodyworks Legislation is reworked and put through the House and Senate.

We need to make sure the local municipalities put a clause exempting therapist covered under TITLE 23-20.8 into those new ordinances. This is a link to your Massage Therapy License Act TITLE 23-20.8. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title23/23-20.8/INDEX.HTM

Lastly the Government Relations team will be meeting the evening of May 11, 2016, exact start time (between 6 and 7pm) and location to be determined. As always food will be provided. If you wish to attend please contact JLozy123@gmail.com by April 24, 2016. This will help us determine the amount of food needed and an appropriately sized location.