Legislative Updates

ASCP continues to stay on top of small business administration programs, unemployment benefits, and disaster relief aid to help you stay financially afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are currently three financial relief options available to you:

1. Expanded Unemployment Benefits
2. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
3. Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant (EIDL)

1. Expanded Unemployment Benefits

There have been many changes in the massage therapy and cosmetology industries and communities in response the COVID-19 (coronavirus). From executive orders affecting businesses, to emergency rulemaking altering renewal timelines, to distance learning modifying the student experience. ABMP, ASCP, and AHP have summarized below how COVID-19 has impacted the licensing regulations and laws in the state of Texas and encourage you to pay special attention to the CARES Act outlined at the bottom of this email, which addresses financial aid and unemployment benefits.
 

As you are aware, the California Massage Therapy Act is up for sunset review this legislative session. However, ABMP just received confirmation that the California Legislature is adjourned until April 13, 2020. As such, the March 24, 2020, committee hearing is canceled. This is in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the legislature engaging in social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. At this time, we do not know when a hearing will be rescheduled.

The California Massage Therapy Act is up for sunset review this legislative session. This is a periodic review—the legislature assesses the state of regulation of massage therapy practice, examining how well it serves public interest. In a sunset review, the legislative committee charged with oversight of a profession evaluates the need, effectiveness, and performance of an agency (in this case, the California Massage Therapy Council, or CAMTC) for the purpose of improvement or discontinuance.