This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Massage
Establishment Ordinance."
It is hereby resolved that the business of operating massage
establishments as defined herein, is a business affecting the public
health, safety, and general welfare, and as such necessitates regulation
and control.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms
and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section,
except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any person that files an application under this chapter to
operate a massage establishment.
The Board of Health of the City of Norwalk.
The Chief of Police of the City of Norwalk or his or her
designee.
The Director of Health of the City of Norwalk.
Any establishment, by whatever name called, where any person
engages in or carries on, or permits to be engaged in or carried on,
any of the activities of massage or massage therapy as defined in
this chapter.
A person who has been licensed to practice massage therapy
under the provisions of Sections 20-206a to 20-206c, inclusive, of
the Connecticut General Statutes.
The manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues of the
body, by use of pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading,
vibration by manual or mechanical means, range of motion and nonspecific
stretching. Massage therapy and massage may include the use of oil,
ice, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, steam, dry heat, or cabinet
baths, for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining good health
and establishing and maintaining good physical and mental condition.
"Massage therapy" and "massage" include any and all activities for
which a massage therapy license is required by the Connecticut General
Statutes, as may be amended from time to time. "Massage therapy" and
"massage" do not include diagnosis, the prescribing of drugs or medicines,
spinal or other joint manipulations, or any service or procedure for
which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, naturopathy, physical
therapy, or podiatry is required by law.
Any and all persons, including independent contractors other
than massage therapists, who render any service in a massage establishment,
but have no physical contact with customers, clients or patrons of
such massage establishment.
Any school or institute of learning which has for its purpose
the teaching of theory and practice, the method, profession or work
of massage therapy, including anatomy, physiology, hygiene and professional
ethics. Such school must require a resident course of study of not
less than six months prior to graduating or receiving a certificate
of graduation, with classroom instruction totaling not less than 500
clock hours as specified in the following subjects: anatomy, physiology,
theory and practice of massage therapy and clinical practice.
Any massage establishment in which one person operates said
establishment and owns all of the assets of said establishment, in
contrast to a partnership, trust or corporation, and one person is
solely liable for all of the debts of said establishment.
This chapter shall not apply to any recognized school, hospital, nursing home, sanitarium, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, nonprofit United Way agencies, barbershops, beauty salons, beauty schools or barber schools operating in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, or to any person holding a valid certificate or license to practice the healing arts as defined by Section 20-1 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, or to practice physical therapy as defined by Section 20-66 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, midwifery as defined by Section 20-86a et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, nursing as defined by Section 20-87a et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, dentistry as defined by Section 20-103a et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, optometry as defined by Section 20-206a et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, acupuncturists as defined by Section 20-206aa et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, or athletic training as defined by Section 19a-16a et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, or to engage in the occupation of barber as defined by Section 20-234 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, or hairdresser or cosmetician as defined by Section 20-250 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided that the activities of such person are confined to those for which the certificate or license is granted. This chapter shall not apply to any person lawfully acting under the supervision or control of such licensees, or to any person furnishing assistance in the case of emergency, or licensed massage therapists who are sole practitioners working from their homes.
The Director of Health may make and enforce reasonable rules
and regulations not in conflict with, but to carry out the intent
of this chapter. The Director of Health shall, upon making any regulation
or rule, file a copy of said rule or regulation with the Town Clerk.
