Maryland Department of Health Board of Massage Therapy Examiners met April 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
I. Call to Order - at 10:19 am - David Cox, LMT, Chair
II. Roll Call - All present
III. Review/Approval of General Session Agenda - (motion Gwenda Harrison/2nd Paula Jilanis) was approved with corrections and additions.-Passed
IV. Review/Approval of Minutes - March 28, 2018 - (motion Caitlin Thompson/2a Gwenda Harrison) -- Minutes was approved.-Passed
V. Reports:
A. Chair- I would like to thank American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) for inviting the Board to their meeting this past Sunday in Frederick, Maryland. Sabrina Lopez, AMTA- elections were held and I was re-elected for a second term as president. Chair – Thanks, Sabrina Lopez and Gwenda Harrison for your work on House Bill 1598 and thank you again Gwenda Harrison for witnessing. Going forward the Board will be working on some of the stuff that did not get passed in the last session, because of all of the hard work that Gwenda Harrison and the committee done we now have a frame to work from. The Board will be holding a series of public hearings for stake holders the dates will be announced.
B. Committee(s) Report(s) - No Committees Reports
C. Executive Director/Deputy Director: Laurie Sheffield-James - (1) I would like to welcome Lillian Reese, Legislative Coordinator to Maryland Board of Commissions.
(2) Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) - The Massage Therapy Licensing Database (MTLD) was designed by representatives of FSMTB Member Boards and will serve the needs of the FSMTB Member Boards. MTLD is a comprehensive databank of primary source information regarding licensed massage therapists that will include verified information related to education, Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) results, licensure status, continuing education topics and hours, board actions and adverse /disciplinary actions taken by state boards. FSMTB will ensure that verified information is credible by requiring direct submission from issuing organizations. Information will only be accessible by FSMTB key staff to maintain its integrity and confidentially. This will provide the Board with a single source for access to information necessary to assess licensure eligibility criteria. If the Board decides to use the database we have to make sure Maryland Department of Health (MDH) IT System can support the program. The Board has to provide the data in order to query MTLD. The Board would like for the FSMTB to come and speak at a meeting to answer some questions before signing on.
Adrienne Congo, Deputy Director- Massage Forms- All of massage forms have been up-dated, the forms are fillable PDF's. The Examination page in the License/Registration application packet has been updated to reflect the Boards procedures for applicants taking the Jurisprudence Examination close to renewal opening live".
• JP Exam, Licenses and Registrations Pre-Renewal- Opening mid to late -August 2018- There will be no Jurisprudence Examination in October 2018, per process customary on renewal years.
VI. Board Counsel – Grant Gerber, AAG - Occupational Licensing - FYI - Brief update on the last legislative session there is a new process for matters to be reviewed by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). The Board will have immunity from two anti- trust suits that is being reviewed by OAH. Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Office of Attorney General (OAG) will be having a briefing on this process so that all Boards are on the same page with respect to anti-trust law challenges (issues that prompted this were the NC Dental Board issues - teeth whitening). We can utilize these services which take effect in October 2018. This is what the lawyer's talk about in the group meetings. When the Supreme Court has a decision that impacts directly occupational licensing, that is an area we pay attention to and talk about a lot. Laurie Sheffield-James - Costs- The area of frustration is not knowing what the cost would be if we had to utilize it. It makes it difficult to plan fiscal projections.
VII. New Business:
• Use of Hemp Oil-Laurie Sheffield-James- Hemp Oil is found in many products such as soap, shampoo, and lotions. It can be used without a prescription. The Board determined that the application of these non- prescriptive products is appropriate for use.
• Adrienne Congo-Petition - (1) Applicant (F.M.) Active Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida and Active Acupuncturist in both Florida and Maryland request waiver of the missing 25 hours from his 575 hours massage training program from Central Florida School of Massage Therapy. The waiver of 25 hours of the regulatory 600 hours massage education requirement was based on a portfolio review of additional healthcare education, credentials and licensure. After the Board reviewed F.M. portfolio it was determined that his credentials met and exceeded the minimum requirements for a Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP) in addition qualified him for the status of a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with the State of Maryland. Therefore, the Board opined that F. M. may continue the application process towards licensure with the State of Maryland.
(2) Inquiry - Scope of Practice Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) in treating breast cancer survivors. The question to the Board is about treating the breast tissue. A small part of the treatment requires that the breast tissue receive MLD to drain during this time, the breast is not draped. Would the Board have any regulations prohibiting me from treating such a patient? The Board agreed to send the licensee a letter emphasizing the code of ethics and need to have consent and training.
VIII. Old Business: Adrienne Congo- Reminded Board members to submit (email) their short biographies to her for publication in the Massage Therapy Examiners Newsletter by May 4, 2018.
IX. Ratification of New Licensees and New Registrants - (motion Margaret Hayes/2nd J.Paige Szymanski).
X. Miscellaneous Discussion: Laurie Sheffield-James- FYI Health Care Professions Reporting- Confidentiality and Reporting Requirements in Maryland. Handouts were given to Board members and audience.
General Session Adjourned at 11:54 am we will be moving to the Executive Session after a brief break. (motion Paula Jilanis / 2nd by Margaret Hayes)
https://health.maryland.gov/massage/Documents/mins0418.pdf
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