Bills and Updates
“Bills” are proposed legislation that has not yet passed into law. The Board keeps informed of legislative updates that would affect the scope and practice of massage therapists. Many of these Bills are not directly targeted at massage regulations, but affect the practice of massage therapy nonetheless.
Passed Bills are enacted as law and are catalogued in this Chapter. Bills are named “HB” for House Bill or “SB” for Senate Bill. These bills edit the Annotated Code. When directly affected the sections of Annotated Code in this guide will be updated to reflect the changes.
The Board of Massage Therapy Examiners may periodically make changes to COMAR. These changes are proposed and posted for public comment before being formally adopted. When changes are made to COMAR, those are cataloged below and updated in this guide.
Final
SB 492 Health Occupations - Massage Therapy - Advertising- Prohibiting licensed massage therapists, registered massage practitioners, and third parties directed by licensed massage therapists or registered massage practitioners from placing, publishing, or distributing certain advertisements; and requiring that if an advertisement for massage therapy lists the name of a licensed massage therapist or a registered massage practitioner, the name displayed on the advertisement must be consistent with the name of the individual that is on the Board issued license or registration. This guide is being updated to reflect the changes to the relevant portions of the Annotated Code.
COMAR 10.65.12 - A 12th chapter was added to COMAR regarding the use of Handheld Tools, effective June 22, 2026. This guide has been updated to reflect the new regulations.
HB 771 Health Occupations - Human Trafficking Awareness - Effective June 1, 2027.
SB458 Health Occupations - Implicit Bias and Structural Racism Training - Effective 10/1/2025, all individuals licensed under the Board of Health must take a new Structural Racism training (in addition to the Implicit Bias training that has been required for a number of years). The training must be completed before the first license renewal after the effective date of the change. For MTs, this training must be completed before 10/31/2026. Individuals licensed after the effective date of this change must take both courses prior to their first license renewal.
Edits to COMAR 10.65.01.06 — were made public and effective on August 18, 2025. These changes elaborated and clarified the process for conversion of existing RMPs to LMT, without making substantive changes to the requirements. This guide has been updated to reflect the new regulations.
SB217(HB256) Health Occupations Boards-Membership Alteration and Sunset Extensions – The BOMTE (and all MD health boards) are authorized for a period of 5 years, ending this year. This hearing will authorize (or not authorize) each board to continue operations for the next 5 years (through 2030). As of March 2025: The bills have passed and await signature from the Governor. The new bill will add +1 LMT member +1 consumer member to the Board.
In process
Edits to COMAR 10.65.01, 10.65.02., & 10.65.03 — were discussed and voted for approval. These changes have not yet been made public, but include new regulations around draping. This guide will be updated with the new regulations, once published.
UPDATE: December 1st, 2025, the Board sent notice of Public Comment Period for the proposed regulations. The regulations can be viewed here. Comments may be sent to Jordan Fisher Blotter, Director, Office of Regulation and Policy Coordination, Maryland Department of Health, 201 West Preston Street, Room 534, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, or call 410-767-0938, or email to mdh.regs@maryland.gov. Comments will be accepted through January 2, 2026.
Edits to COMAR 10.65.07 Fees — proposal to add a one-time registration fee for handheld tools of $100. Public comments on this proposal are open. Following the public comment period, the Board Committee has withdrawn these regulations for further revision.
HB231 Constitutional Amendment-Fee or Tax Rate Increases – Board Position: Letter of Concern
Massage services are currently untaxed in Maryland. This Bill would impose taxes on services, which practitioners and business would be required to collect.
Status: Did not pass out of the House Committee
Concept Papers for the 2026 Legislative Session:
To update statutory provisions to allow massage educational programs that are accredited by an accrediting agency other than the US Department of Education. To remove outdated language regarding the requirements for initial registration (no longer relevant). To clarify the educational requirements for out-of-state applicants.
To include language that prohibits the use of sexual references in advertisements for massage therapy. To require that images used in advertisement feature professional attire appropriate for a healthcare setting.