Massage businesses would need state licenses and worker checks

The bill would require massage businesses to get a state license and follow hiring, posting, and inspection rules. A massage business is a commercial enterprise offering massage therapy for something of value. The checks cover each owner and each person under final consideration for a job. The health director would set license fees by rule. Owners would pay for required checks and could charge applicants up to that cost only after giving notice at the initial application. Businesses would face misdemeanor penalties for specified violations; knowingly operating without a license would be a felony. Licenses would last two years. Owners would check all owners and employees every two years, and the health director would inspect each licensed business at least annually.

People conducting massage operations would have to use a payment device to receive payment and report employee payroll to the attorney general. Massage operations include covered massage businesses, licensed massage professionals, massage establishments, and people doing work that requires but lacks a license. Payroll reports would cross-reference license numbers for employees licensed under the listed state or township provisions. The attorney general would set reporting methods and other requirements by rule. The text sets no start date or reporting schedule; the attorney general would set the payroll reporting method by rule.

Township trustees could set local rules for massage establishments in unincorporated areas. Rules could cover establishments in a township’s unincorporated area, including hours, distance from certain places, visible lobbies, and residential use. Trustees would have to hold public hearings and give notice. The rules could not regulate therapeutic massage by licensed health professionals. If enough local electors petition for a vote within 30 days, the rule would take effect only if a majority of voters approves it. Rules normally would take effect 30 days after adoption. A petition filed within that period would delay the rule until an election, and it would take effect only if voters approve it.

The departments of Public Safety and Health would jointly operate a public human-trafficking database. The database would list identified trafficking organizations in Ohio, names and aliases of people convicted of or pleading guilty to human trafficking, and licenses forfeited for trafficking- or prostitution-related offenses. The health director would certify the amount needed, and that amount would be appropriated to Health Program Support for fiscal year 2027. The health director would certify funding on or as soon as possible after the database section takes effect; the appropriation is for fiscal year 2027.