Local Regulation of Massage Facilities

Plain English: This amendment changes the law to exclude certain types of massage businesses, such as those at charity events or large hotels, from being classified as illicit.

• Massage services offered during public or charity events where giving massages is not the main goal are no longer included in the definition of an illicit business.
• Solo licensed massage therapists who do not have a shower table for clients are excluded from the new rules targeting illicit businesses.
• Hotels and resorts with at least 50 rooms that offer massage as an extra service are removed from the list of places considered illicit.

• The amendment text only shows specific lines being changed, so it does not explain how these exclusions affect other parts of the law or enforcement details.
• It is unclear if there are any new requirements for businesses to prove they fit into these excluded categories.

Plain English: This amendment adds new statements to the bill explaining that fake massage businesses hide human trafficking, harm real therapists' reputations, and create public safety risks.

• Adds a statement saying illicit massage businesses pretend to be legitimate while hiding sex and labor trafficking of trapped victims.
• States that these illegal activities damage the reputation and success of honest massage therapy businesses.
• Lists specific dangers caused by illicit massage operations, including unlawful sexual acts, human trafficking, building code violations, zoning issues, and nuisance problems.
• Includes background facts about how Colorado repealed its old Massage Parlor Code in 2015 and notes that the current state law allows local governments to inspect licensed businesses.

• The amendment only adds descriptive statements of fact and does not change any specific rules, penalties, or enforcement powers for cities.
• Some parts of the text refer to other sections of the bill that are not included in this document, so it is unclear how these new facts will be used legally.

Plain English: This amendment adds new facts to the bill stating that local rules for massage businesses have successfully reduced illegal operations and recognizes massage therapy as a legitimate health profession.

• Adds information about how Aurora, Colorado created an ordinance in 2018 to regulate massage facilities and stop human trafficking without using traditional police methods.
• Notes that other cities followed Aurora's example and the state passed House Bill 22-1300 in 2022 to let counties make similar rules.
• States that local regulations have worked by reducing illegal massage businesses, stopping new ones from opening, and focusing on punishing traffickers instead of just shutting down shops.
• Clarifies that these local rules treat massage therapy as a real healthcare job that helps people in Colorado.

• The amendment only adds background facts to the bill's introduction; it does not change any laws or create new penalties on its own.

Plain English: This amendment requires local governments to create a rule that makes new owners and operators of massage facilities pass a background check at least thirty days before they get their license or take ownership.

• Local governments must set up an official process for checking the backgrounds of people who want to own or run massage businesses.
• New rules require these background checks to follow specific federal guidelines and state laws.
• A person cannot become a new owner or operator until they have passed this check at least thirty days before starting their role.

• The amendment text does not explain what happens if someone fails the background check, only that failing to submit one is listed as an issue.
• Specific details about how local governments must write these rules are based on other laws (34 U.S.C. sec. 41101 and section 24-33.5-424.5) not included in this text.

Plain English: This amendment updates the bill to ensure local governments protect legitimate massage businesses and consult with industry groups before creating new rules.

• It adds a requirement for cities or counties to think about how their new laws will affect honest massage therapy businesses.
• Local governments must talk directly to massage therapists, business owners, and statewide organizations when making these new rules.
• The bill clarifies that local rules cannot conflict with the state's existing regulations on practicing massage therapy.

• This rule only applies to laws passed after August 13, 2026.
• The text does not explain exactly what happens if a local government fails to follow these new steps.

Plain English: This amendment sets a $500 limit on local licensing fees for massage facilities and explains how those fees can be adjusted in the future.

• Local governments must set administrative fees that match their actual costs for managing massage facility licenses.
• Any fee over $500 is considered unreasonable unless the government proves it needs more money to cover its specific costs.
• Starting January 1, 2028, local governments can change these fees each year based on inflation or deflation rates in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood.

• The amendment does not explain how a government must prove that costs are higher than $500.
• It is unclear if this rule applies to all types of fees charged by local governments or only specific administrative ones.