***UPDATE*** After further discussion with the community development director it has been clarified and stated that independent therapists will not be required to get a "Sexually Oriented Businesses" license in the city of Millcreek. I have also briefly looked over the updated text changes as well and they have stricken proposed item number 6 that states: Neither clients nor practitioners shall appear on the premises in a state of nudity or semi-nudity, as defined in the Sexually Oriented Business Chapter of Title 5 of this Code. I am still encouraging the city council to adopt the Utah code of conduct for professionalism. But for now it seems we have gotten clarification and massage therapists will not be required to apply for a SOB license. We could still use your support so be sure to attend the meeting this coming Tuesday. Details at end of petition. Thanknyou for your support!***

The city of Millcreek, Utah is currently considering a measure that would designate massage therapy as an “adult business” and regulate massage therapists as “sexually oriented businesses”.

By definition "a sexually oriented business is a business that is part of the sex industry, such as sites of erotic performance and erotic paraphernalia stores." Wikipedia

In Utah massage therapists receive their credentials from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). There are three components to becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist:

• The prospective massage therapists must complete education or training programs that include anatomy, pathology, kenisiology, sanitation, CPR and First Aid among learning how to massage properly.
• They must take and pass a national examination.
• They must go through a criminal background check process. 

This is similar to other licensed professions, none include sex workers.

The Utah Massage Therapy Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice was Adopted September 2005 from NCBTMB Standards of Practice and modified for use in UTAH. Currently in effect the standards specifies that a massage therapists must:

• dress in a modest and professional manor
• use appropriate draping to protect the client’s physical privacy and DRAPING is defined as the covering of a client with an opaque material that is sufficiently large to protect their personal privacy. The genitals of any patron and the breasts of a female patron must be covered at all times, the client must be draped at all times
• recognize that sexual activity with clients, students, employees, supervisors, or trainees is prohibited even if consensual and are not to touch the genitalia.

Which should be sufficient for regulating massage therapists. The full version can be viewed by clicking here 

Please sign this petition to stop the city of Millcreek from going forward with sexualizing the massage industry by improperly labeling massage therapists as a "sexually oriented businesses", as that is not the actuality or aim of massage therapy and this measure would hurt the reputation of massage therapists statewide.

Let the leaders of Millcreek know you support the integrity of massage therapy as a therapeutic business by signing this petition to stop this action immediately. You can also attend the next Millcreek Community Council meeting this coming Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Millcreek Activity Center (old Hillview School) 1025 East 4405 South.

Your support is appreciated!