Possible changes to massage therapy ordinance

(ABC 6 News) – Monday, the Rochester city council was presented with some amendments by the city license examiner that he wants to be made to the city’s massage therapy ordinance.

The city license examiner says these changes should be made to the ordinance not because 90 percent of the city’s massage businesses and therapists do comply, but because about ten percent dont.

Rochester police in the past has reported that there have been complaints about massage businesses being places for illicit sexual behavior.

Council members had mixed reviews on the proposed ordinance Monday evening.

“I’m uncomfortable with us even having an ordinance and I would rather see us appeal it and get rid of it or repeal it and get rid of it than to go down this route,” councilmember Shaun Palmer said.

“I would generally support this but i’m going to be watching to talk to the 90 percent that we don’t have these worries with to make sure they’re comfortable with this and they don’t… i think what council member palmer is reacting to is about being over controlled and i don’t believe that’s happening right now but that’s what I’ll be watching,” councilmember Patrick Keane said.

Rochester’s city license examiner says there are about 140 licensed therapists in Rochester and there have been less than ten complaints within the last year.

But almost one year ago to date, the Rochester city council had revoked two massage parlor licenses after compliance checks by the Rochester police department found violations of a number of city ordinances.

Last month, one of those massage therapists pleaded guilty to non-consensually touching a client.