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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Local governments will get more authority to regulate massage businesses under a bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Brown announced signing AB1147 on Thursday. The measure lets local governments revoke the license of any massage parlor that violates the law.
It also requires that people seeking to become certified massage practitioners take 500 hours of training and pass a test and background investigation.
The bill, sponsored by three Democrats, also changes the composition of the 19-member California Massage Therapy Council. It will have 13 members, including six representing local governments, schools, law enforcement and health officials. A seventh member will represent an anti-human trafficking organization.
Supporters said AB1147 will make it harder for massage parlors to operate as fronts for prostitution. The new law takes effect in January.
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