“NJ Massage Body Workers & Somatic Therapists”
That was the title of the coalition that was formed back in
2003. Ten different organizations got
together and worked on putting together a comprehensive licensing “Bill” that
would be submitted to the legislature for their review and implementation. Finally, Jan 13th, 2008, then
Governor Jon Corzine signed the Bill into Law.
However, that wasn’t the end of it.
For the law to be enacted, it had to go through three phases.
First, at the signing of the bill, the so
called board of massage under the board of nursing would be dissolved.
Second, a new board of massage would be
formed under the division of consumer affairs.
It was a governor appointed position that would be offered to 9 people
to sit on the board. I was asked, along
with other members of the Coalition, but I turned it down. It meant going to Newark every time we would
meet. Having done this before, I did not
relish the idea of the three hour drive each way and the headache with the
traffic getting into Newark.
Third
Phase was marked by the publishing online, the new application for the massage
license itself. That took place
September 4th, 2012.
“NJ Massage Body Workers & Somatic Therapists”
Each organization in the coalition sent a representative to work
on this Bill. The Coalition actually
allowed our organization to send two people.
I was one and Rena Margolis was the other. Together we represented, “Associated Bodywork
& Massage Practitioner” known as “ABMP.”
We were both given the title of “Government Relations Representative.”
We met with other organizations on telephone conference
calls, in person, and when necessary we went to the source. We visited Newark, where the then board of
nursing was in charge of massage, then the “New Jersey Legislature,” also known
as the “State House.” We met with
legislators, and tried to bring our thoughts and objections to various parts of
the Bill. Overall, it was a great
experience. I now see that one person
can make a difference. When they wanted
to make “Reiki” part of the Bill, I argued that no one should have to take a
500 hour massage course to do Reiki, when the course itself can be an eight
hour certification course in itself.
Reiki is not massage and should not be part of the Bill. I got it!
I also argued for the implementation of a board of massage with
diversity on the board. No one
organization should dominate the board and tell others what to do. I got it!
The system does work sometimes.
