The proposed massage ordinance that would require all Petaluma massage therapists to become certified or show that they have at least five years of experience and graduated from massage school, is being heard again Monday.
If passed, the ordinance would require therapists to have a certificate from the California Massage Therapy Council, showing they've completed training and undergone a background check.
The new draft of the ordinance allows for therapists who have worked at least five years and received training from a certified massage school to forego getting a separate certificate from CAMTC.
Supporters, including the Petaluma Police Department which is writing the ordinance, say the change would be a way to weed out bad operators, including spas that offer sexual services in exchange for a large tip. They also say making sure all therapists are certified raises the professionalism and overall quality of the massage sector.
Read an opinion piece from one such supporter
Cotati, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Sebastopol, Napa and many other North Bay cities have similar ordinances.
The ordinance will be discussed at the July 1 City Council meeting at Petaluma's City Hall.
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