The State of Iowa licenses massage therapists under the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 152C. State licensed massage therapists and businesses offering massage therapy services perform an important service in addressing the health and well-being of residents. Unfortunately, there are businesses that advertise they provide massage therapy and/or other therapeutic services, but engage in various illegal activities, which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. This article is not intended to discourage legitimate, licensed massage therapists or massage therapy businesses from providing their services. The purpose of this ordinance is to identify and address businesses that engage in the practice of massage therapy without valid licenses and/or are involved in illegal activities, which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. Businesses providing massage therapy, but also conducting various types of illegal activity, are harmful to the health, safety, and welfare of the city and negatively impact the massage therapy profession.
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases have the meanings herein set forth, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
1. "Massage therapist" means a person licensed under Iowa Code Chapter 152C to practice the health care service of the healing art of massage therapy.
2. "Massage therapy business" means any business or place of business, including mobile, temporary, and transient businesses, wherein, or on whose behalf, any of the treatments, techniques, or methods of treatment referred to as "massage therapy" are administered, practiced, used, given, advertised or applied.
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