In a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around the prioritization of licensing reviews for healthcare professions and proposed amendments to massage therapy regulations in Utah.

The committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend a list of occupations for review in 2025, focusing on nursing and allied health professions, which collectively have nearly 60,000 active licensees. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access and quality in the state, aligning with ongoing efforts from the Utah Health Collaborative and the Health Workforce Advisory Committee. The review will also consider the impact of recent legislation that expanded the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, addressing existing barriers to their autonomous practice.

Additionally, the committee examined draft legislation aimed at reforming massage therapy regulations. The proposed amendments seek to combat illicit activities associated with massage therapy, which have been linked to human trafficking and sexual misconduct. The legislation maintains a two-tiered licensing system while introducing an establishment registry for legitimate massage businesses. This registry would require background checks for business owners and allow regulatory bodies to revoke licenses for illicit operations, thereby increasing accountability and safety within the industry.

The discussions highlighted the need for a clear distinction between medical and non-medical massage practices, with some committee members advocating for a reevaluation of the regulatory framework to potentially deregulate lower-risk massage services. However, the consensus leaned towards maintaining certain regulations to ensure consumer safety and prevent exploitation.

The committee plans to revisit the massage therapy amendments in November, allowing for further refinement and public input before final approval.