Enforcement of controversial massage ordinance put on hold - abc7amarillo.com

[massage]

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Enforcement of the City of Amarillo's controversial massage ordinance will temporarily be put on hold.

Surprise inspections were set to begin March 1.

Any establishment that did not have a license from the city could lose its certificate of occupancy, which would force it to close.

But after the city received pushback from licensed massage therapists, Mayor Cole Stanley told ABC 7 the council will take it back up at their next meeting.

"The ordinance is an attack on the reputation of massage therapists who have met required education, required state testing and licensing, required background checks and fingerprinting, and are already regulated by the state," said Didi Hansen, a licensed massage therapist.

"Insulting us by tying us together with fraudulent businesses that provide prostitution and human trafficking, putting punitive regulations on us is not only ludicrous, but I am sure we will soon see it is also against our civil liberties and constitutional rights!" said Hansen. "There are already laws in place that make prostitution and human sex trafficking illegal. The city needs to enforce them not try to catch the fox in the hen house by over-regulating the hens!"

About 40 massage therapists met with Councilman Don Tipps on Saturday to express their frustration with the ordinance.

They're upset the city did not consult with LMT's before drafting the ordinance.

Many didn't know it even existed before seeing ABC 7's story on Friday.

Charles Houston said there are parts of the ordinance that would make it impossible for LMT's do business.

The ordinance would prevent massage therapists from performing a massage on the opposite sex. Houston said that is most of his business.

The ordinance requires massage establishments to keep a "daily register" of patients that can be inspected by the city marshal or police. Houston said he's not allowed to share patient info because its protected by HIPAA.

Houston also said requiring doors to be unlocked is unfair. He said he locks his front door when with a client for safety reasons.

The council is expected to discuss the ordinance at its next meeting on Feb. 27.

LMT's are planning to make their voices heard during public comment.

Stanley told ABC 7 there will be a "grace period" after any revisions are made.

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