SACRAMENTO, CA: Assembly Bill 1147, a bill by Assembly Majority Whip Jimmy Gomez (D-Los
Angeles) that will overhaul California’s existing massage therapy law became law today with
Governor Brown’s signature.
“This fundamental reform is long overdue and addresses multiple issues plaguing the
massage therapy industry that affect communities all over California where illegitimate
massage businesses exist,” said Assemblymember Gomez. “AB 1147 will now put land use authority
back in the hands of local governments, where it belongs, so human trafficking and other illicit
activity can be eradicated.’’
Gomez decided to author the bill after multiple constituents approached him about the issue
during several of his neighborhood Meet-N-Greets. Residents demanded the right to weigh-in
on the number and location of massage parlors in their communities. The state’s attempt at
regulating these parlors had not been successful and Gomez recognized it was time to return
these decisions to local stakeholders and governments.
AB 1147, which also includes Assembly members Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and Chris Holden
(D-Pasadena) as joint co-authors, specifically returns important land use authority and control
to cities and counties. The measure reinforces the authority of local massage ordinances and
provides local governments with the option of revoking the license of any massage parlor that
violates the law. Additionally, the bill requires individuals applying for certification as a certified
massage practitioner (CMP) to pass an examination.
The measure will go into effect January 2015.
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Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez represents the 51st Assembly District which includes the Northeast Los Angeles
neighborhoods of Echo Park, Mission Junction, Historic Filipinotown, Chinatown, Glassell Park, Montecito Heights,
Monterey Hills, El Sereno, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Lincoln Heights, City Terrace, Elysian Valley, Cypress
Park, Eagle Rock, portion of Silverlake, and unincorporated East Los Angeles.
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