Bill Summary for S 527 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

Apr 4 2019

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
Senate Bill 527 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 2, 2019
AN ACT TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH THE REGULATION OF REFLEXOLOGY.
Intro. by Gunn, Sanderson, Wells.

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Bill summary

Enacts new Article 43, Reflexology, in GS Chapter 90 (Medicine and Allied Occupations).  Defines relevant terms including reflexology, certification, and certifying entity in newly enacted GS 90-726.  Enacts new GS 90-726.1 mandating that compensation for reflexology services may be received only by a certified reflexologist, unless the provider is a student in a nationally recognized reflexology education program or holds a certification of completion from such a program that he or she completed no more than six months prior to receiving compensation for reflexology services. 

Enacts new GS 90-726.2 requiring a provider of reflexology services to prominently display his or her certificate at their main place of business or have it available on his or her person when providing services at a different location.

Enacts new GS 90-726.3 requiring advertising for the purpose of attracting clients for reflexology services to the state that those services will be provided by a certified reflexologist as well as the name of the certifying entity.

Enacts new GS 90-726.4 exempting certain listed licensed professionals who in the course of their work may apply pressure to certain reflex areas on a person's body, if the application of pressure accounts for 25% or less of that person's work.  

Enacts new GS 90-726.5 creating a civil penalty of no more than $5,000 for each violation of this Article by an individual, and for violations by a place of business a civil penalty will be assessed of no more than $5,000 for each violation as well as a suspension of any license to operate for no more than 90 days.  Directs that clear proceeds from assessed penalties must be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with GS 115C-457.2.

Amends GS 90-624 (activities not requiring a license to practice) in Article 36 (massage and bodywork therapy practice) which states nothing in Article 36 may be used to prohibit or affect a list of specified activities, by adding new subdivision (9) listing a certified reflexologist engaged in the practice of reflexology as defined in GS 90-726.

Effective January 1, 2021.