S.B. No. 1130         AN ACT   relating to the provision of certain massage therapy instruction   using distance learning.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 455.156, Occupations Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as   follows:          (b)  An applicant for a license under this section must be an   individual and:                (1)  present evidence satisfactory to the department   that the person has satisfactorily completed massage therapy   studies in a 500-hour minimum, supervised course of instruction in   a manner provided by Subsection (c) [provided by a massage therapy   instructor at a massage school, a licensed massage school, a   state-approved educational institution, or any combination of   instructors or schools], in which at least:                      (A)  200 hours are taught by a licensed massage   therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy   techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft   tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish   massage therapy techniques;                      (B)  50 hours are dedicated to the study of   anatomy;                      (C)  25 hours are dedicated to the study of   physiology;                      (D)  50 hours are dedicated to the study of   kinesiology;                      (E)  40 hours are dedicated to the study of   pathology;                      (F)  20 hours are dedicated to the study of   hydrotherapy;                      (G)  45 hours are dedicated to the study of   massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and   professional ethics standards;                      (H)  20 hours are dedicated to the study of   health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and   cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and                      (I)  50 hours are spent in an internship program;                (2)  pass the required examinations; and                (3)  be at least 18 years of age.          (c)  The hours of instruction required by Subsection (b) must   be provided by a massage therapy instructor at a massage school,   licensed massage school, state-approved educational institution,   or any combination of instructors or schools. The hours of   instruction required by Subsections (b)(1)(B)-(H) may be provided   using distance learning.  Distance learning is not limited to live   instruction.          SECTION 2.  An applicant for a massage therapist license may   satisfy the requirements of Sections 455.156(b)(1)(B)-(H),   Occupations Code, using distance learning as provided by Section   455.156(c), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, regardless of   whether the application is submitted before, on, or after the   effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas   Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules necessary   to implement the changes in law made by this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2021.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1130 passed the Senate on       April 19, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1130 passed the House on          May 11, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 134, Nays 9, two present   not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor