POSTED 6/1/2021 FROM: AMTA – NJ GR Committee:

AMTA-NJ Government Relations UPDATE

Massage Home Visits Reinstated

We here at the AMTA New Jersey Chapter are happy to announce that,  as of June 1st, 2021, the Office of Emergency Management issued an Administrative Order allowing for the return of in-home massage therapy services!
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan today announced Administrative Order 2021-2 rescinding Administrative Order 2020-10, which had prohibited the provision of in-home personal care services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Division of Consumer Affairs also recently issued an Administrative Order to clarify that in-home massage and body work services that were permissible before the pandemic can resume, in addition to relaxing other requirements for businesses that provide personal care services. The order takes effect immediately. A copy of the Administrative Order can be found here. 
We worked very hard to bring about this change. Thank you so much to the members who made their voices heard. Your efforts made a difference!

POSTED 5/29/2021 FROM: AMTA – NJ GR Committee:

AMTA-NJ Government Relations UPDATE

Personal Care Service Business Requirements Relaxed

On May 28th, 2021, the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy under the Division of Consumer Affairs issued Administrative Order 2021-13 which supersedes and replaces DCA AO 2020-11. DCA AO 2021-13 relaxes the requirements for businesses that provide personal care services.
The Administrative Order, among other things, removes:
·      Masking requirements.
·      Social distancing and barrier requirements.
·      Screening protocols and temperature checks for clients.
·      Restrictions on walk-ins; and
·      Restrictions on high-touch items (such as waiting area magazines).
Staff are still required to submit to screening questions and temperature checks. The Administrative Order continues to require certain infection control practices. Licensees should review the Order closely for more information on the requirements for the provision of personal care services.
NJ Massage and Bodywork Therapy Board Meeting Update
On May 25th, 2021, the NJ Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy convened a public session via zoom. During the meeting, it was announced that NJ Licensed Massage employers are now required to display human trafficking awareness posters in the bathrooms and changing rooms of their facilities. This does not apply to individual licensees who do not employ other therapists besides themselves. A link to approved posters will be posted on the division of consumer affairs Massage and Bodywork page shortly. Check the board page regularly for updates. The next public session is scheduled for June 29th, 2021.

POSTED 5/15/2021 FROM: AMTA NJ Chapter Board:

AMTA-NJ Chapter 2021 Election Results

 

On May 15th, 2021, the AMTA NJ Chapter Board held its Annual Meeting via zoom where it announced the 2021 AMTA-NJ Chapter Board election results. Kelly Skellinger was elected to the position of AMTA NJ Chapter Board President for a one-year term. Glendolin Grant was elected to the position of Board Member for a two-year term. Earline Fair-Edwards was elected to the position of Financial Administrator for a two-year term. Cynthia Sinicropi-Philibosian was elected to the position of Delegate.

Thank you to each and every one of our members who voted in this year’s election. Thank you to each and every one of our members who have stepped into leadership positions within our organization to support and serve.

POSTED 3/11/2021 FROM: AMTA – NJ GR Committee:

AMTA-NJ Government Relations UPDATE

Dear Members and Friends,

The NJ State Massage and Bodywork Therapy Board convened a virtual meeting on March 3, 2020. Public members are able to attend with comments submitted prior to the meeting. Comments are considered for reply during the meeting.

The following is a brief summary of the Public Agenda items discussed:

Replies to Agenda Items:

 1. A request was made that ProTrainings CPR provider be accepted by the Board as an approved provider. The Board members agreed that the curriculum of ProTrainings CPR certification meets the requirements of N.J.A.C.13:37A. Until the rules are adopted, the Board approved a temporary waiver to accept CPR from ProTrainings.

2. A request was made that CE Broker, a registry service for licensees to track their CE’s, be accepted by the Board as an approved provider. The Board concluded that is is not within their purview to adopt such services.

3. A question was asked regarding the ability to provide home visits if a licensee works for a home visit service franchise, and if medically necessary massage therapy requires a prescription. The Board concluded that medically necessary home visits do not require a prescription and that licensees keep in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:37A-5.2 RECORD KEEPING. The Board reiterated home visits continue to be prohibited in accordance with A.O.2020-11.

4. A question was asked to clarify if clients refuse to wear mask properly can the therapist refuse to provide services. The Board reiterated that masks must be worn at all times except when face down on the table or may be removed for face massage and donned immediately following the sequence.

The NJ State MBT Board was briefed by the DCA Analyst designated to the MBT Board regarding the adoption of the proposed amendments to rules N.J.A.C.13:37A-2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and N.J.A.C.13:37A-4.1, 4.2 which were approved immediately prior to the COVID pandemic. The adoption of those changes in 2020 was put on hold because of the public emergency measures due to the COVID pandemic. The following statements are summaries of the current status of those amendments:

  • The proposed CPR amendments to N.J.C.A.13:37A-2.1, 2.2, 2.3; will be revisited at another time following the COVID mitigation.
  • That proposed jurisprudence amendment to N.J.A.C.13:37A-4.1; and 4.2 will move forward to be added to N.J.A.C.13:37.
  • For a copy of those rule changes, please e-mail GovRel.AMTANJ@gmail.com

The MBT Board continue to complete public Agenda items with discussion and voting on actions regarding licensee disciplinary and reinstatement actions.

We hope this helps provide you with current information as it relates to the NJ State Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy meeting of February 23, 2021. The next meeting will be held March 30, 2021.

DISCLAIMER: This summary is not to be misconstrued as the NJ State MBT Board minutes of the meeting. Those minutes will be posted when ratified by the Board. This summary is provided by the AMTA-NJ Chapter representatives who attended the meeting.

Currently, your AMTA-NJ GR committee remains vigilant in seeking a reconsideration of the home visit prohibition at this juncture during the COVID mitigation. Our lobbyist is actively reaching out to the State on a regular basis to have home visits reopen completely and not just limited to medically necessary therapy.

Additionally, the AMTA-NJ GR committee remains active in seeking ways to provide ease of practice in our local communities and elevate standards of practice. Should you experience difficulty with the license and ordinance rules when opening private practices or clinics, we are here to help you.

In addition to the email listed above, please refer to our website for useful information and links to other resources.

As winter winds down and we move into the refreshing energy of Spring, we hope that you can take a moment or two to enjoy a few moments of sunshine and the promise of a new season!

Respectfully Yours,

NJ AMTA Board and Government Relations Committee

AMTA New Jersey Chapter Calendar

  • AMTA 2021 Convention Registration Now Open

    Posted:Tuesday, March 23, 2021

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  • Member Anniversaries

    Posted:Saturday, November 28, 2020

    Congratulations to our members who have achieved milestone anniversaries this year. You are an important part of our community. Thank you for your longstanding commitment to AMTA. It’s our honor to…

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  • AMTA National Elections: Vote By December 1

    Posted:Monday, November 16, 2020

    Beginning November 16 and continuing through December 1, all professional members of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) are encouraged to vote for a slate of 5 members for the AMTA…

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  • New CE: Pregnancy and Massage Advanced Practice

    Posted:Wednesday, September 30, 2020

    Pregnancy often brings life transitions and a new set of challenges. During this time, women experience anatomical, physiological and psychological changes.
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