State of Iowa licensed massage therapists and businesses offering massage therapy services perform an important service in addressing the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Unfortunately, there are businesses that advertise they provide massage therapy and/or other therapeutic services, but they are engaged in various illegal activities which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. This chapter is not intended to discourage a legitimately licensed massage therapist or massage therapy business from providing their services in the city of Newton. The purpose of this ordinance is to identify and address businesses that engage in the practice of massage therapy without a license and/or are involved in illegal activities which may include prostitution and/or human trafficking. Businesses providing massage therapy yet conducting various types of illegal activity are harmful to the city and the image of the massage therapy profession. The implementation of this ordinance will better enable the city to proactively screen, monitor and remove businesses that are engaged in illegal activity.
(Ord. 2318, passed 1-3-2018)