[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Smithfield 6-13-1977
(Ch. 12, Art. VI, of the 1985 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: State law references - Physical therapists, G.L. 1956,
§ 5-40-1 et seq.; health clubs, G.L. 1956, § 5-50-1 et
seq.; licensing of massage parlors, G.L. 1956, § 23-20.8-1 et seq.
[Amended 2-24-1998; 6-1-1999]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Any person over 18 years of age, other than a massagist, who renders
any service in connection with the operation of a massage business and receives
compensation from the operator of the business or patrons.
The person to whom a license has been issued to own or operate a
massage establishment as defined herein.
Any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading,
rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating of the external parts
of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical electrical
apparatus or appliances with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing
alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointment or
other such similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage,
under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to
whom the treatment is provided or some third person on his or her behalf will
pay money or give any other consideration or any gratuity therefor.
Any establishment having a source of income or compensation derived from the practice of massage as defined in this section, and which has a fixed place of business where any person, firm, association or corporation engages in or carries on any of the activities described in the definition of "massage." For purposes of compliance with §§ 242-5A and 242-12A and G of this chapter only, the term "massage establishment" shall not include any business engaged in the practice of massage on the same premises where other professional health care services such as optical or chiropractic services are offered.
Any person who, for any consideration whatsoever, engages in the
practice of massage as defined in this section.
Any business, the function of which is to engage in or carry on massages at a location designated by the customer or client rather than at a massage establishment as defined in this section. For purposes of compliance with § 242-12A and F only, the provision of massages to fully clothed clients at the Smithfield Senior Center shall not be defined as an outcall massage.
Any person over 18 years of age who receives a massage under such
circumstances that it is reasonably expected that he or she will pay money
or give any other consideration therefor.
The person to whom a permit has been issued to act in the capacity
of a massagist (masseur or masseuse) as herein defined.
Any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, joint stock company,
corporation or combination of individuals of whatever form or character.
Any school or educational institution licensed to do business as
a school or educational institution in the state in which it is located, or
any school recognized by or approved by or affiliated with the American Massage
and Therapy Association, Inc., and which has for its purpose the teaching
of the theory, method, profession or work of massage, which school requires
a resident course of study of not less than 70 hours before the student shall
be furnished with a diploma or certificate of graduation from such school
or institution of learning following the successful completion of such course
of study or learning.
Genitals, pubic area, buttocks, anus or perineum of any person, or
the vulva or breasts of a female.
[1]
Editor's Note: State law reference - Definitions, G.L. 1956, § 23-20.8.1.
Every person, except those persons who are specifically exempted by
this chapter, whether acting as an individual owner, employee of the owner,
operator or employee of the operator, or whether acting as a mere agent or
independent contractor for the owner, employee or operator, or acting as a
participant or worker in any way directly or indirectly who gives massages
or operates a massage establishment or any of the services defined in this
chapter without first obtaining a license permit and paying a fee to do so
from the Town or shall violate any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon conviction such person shall be punished by a fine
not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months
or by both such fine and imprisonment.
This chapter shall not apply to the following individuals while engaged
in the personal performance of the duties of their respective professions:
A.
Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths or physical
therapists who are duly licensed to practice their respective professions
in the state;
B.
Nurses who are registered under the laws of this state;
and
C.
Barbers and beauticians who are duly licensed under the
laws of this state, except that this exemption shall apply solely to the massaging
of the neck, face, scalp and hair of the customer or client for cosmetic or
beautifying purposes.
[1]
Editor's Note: State law reference - Persons exempt from massage parlor
licensing law, G.S. 1956, § 23-20.8-9.
The licensee or person designated by the licensee of a massage establishment
shall maintain a register of all persons employed at any time as masseurs
or masseuses and their permit numbers. Such register shall be available at
the massage establishment to representatives of the Town during regular business
hours.
No license to conduct a massage establishment shall be issued unless
an inspection by the Town reveals that the establishment complies with each
of the following minimum requirements:
A.
Construction of rooms used for toilets, tubs, steam baths
and showers shall be made waterproof with approved waterproofed materials
and shall be installed in accordance with the Town building code. Plumbing
fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the Town Plumbing Code.
(1)
Steam rooms and shower compartments shall have waterproof
floors, walls and ceilings approved by the Town.
(2)
Floors of wet and dry heat rooms shall be adequately
pitched to one or more floor drains properly connected to the sewer, when
such sewer is available. (Exception: Dry heat rooms with wooden floors need
not be provided with pitched floors and floor drains).
(3)
A source of hot water must be available within the immediate
vicinity of dry and wet heat rooms to facilitate cleaning.
B.
The premises shall have adequate equipment for disinfecting
and sterilizing nondisposable instruments and materials used in administering
massages. Such nondisposable instruments and materials shall be disinfected
after use on each patron.
C.
Closed cabinets shall be provided and used for the storage
of clean linen, towels and other materials used in connection with administering
massages. All soiled linens, towels and other materials shall be kept in properly
covered containers or cabinets, which containers or cabinets shall be kept
separate from the clean storage area.
D.
Toilet facilities shall be provided in convenient locations.
When employees and patrons of different sexes are on the premises at the same
time separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex. A single water
closet per sex shall be provided for each 20 or more employees or patrons
of that sex on the premises at any one time. Urinals may be substituted for
water closets after one water closet has been provided. Toilets shall be designated
as to the sex accommodated therein.
E.
Lavatories or washbasins provided with both hot and cold
running water shall be installed in either the toilet room or a vestibule.
Lavatories or washbasins shall be provided with soap and a dispenser and with
sanitary towels.
A.
Every portion of the massage establishment, including
appliances and apparatus, shall be kept clean and operated in a sanitary condition.
B.
Price rates for all services shall be prominently posted
in the reception area in a location available to all prospective customers.
C.
All employees, including masseurs and masseuses, shall
be clean and wear clean, nontransparent outer garments, covering the sexual
and genital areas. A separate dressing room for each sex must be available
on the premises with individual lockers for each employee. Doors to such dressing
rooms shall be open inward and shall be self-closing.
D.
All massage establishments shall be provided with clean,
laundered sheets and towels in sufficient quantity and shall be laundered
after each use thereof and stored in a sanitary manner.
E.
No massage establishment granted a license under the
provisions of this chapter shall place, publish or distribute or cause to
be placed, published or distributed any advertisement, picture or statement
which is known or through the exercise of reasonable care should be known
to be false, deceptive or misleading in order to induce any person to purchase
or utilize any professional massage services.
No person shall permit any person under the age of 18 years to come
or remain on the premises of any massage business establishment as masseur,
employee or patron, unless such person is on the premises on lawful business.
No person shall sell, give, dispense, provide, keep or cause to be sold,
given, dispensed, provided or kept, any alcoholic beverage on the premises
of any massage business.
No massage business shall be kept open for any purpose between the hours
of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
No person shall employ as a massagist any person unless said employee
has obtained and has in effect a permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
The Chief of Police or his authorized representatives shall be authorized
to make inspections of each massage business establishment for the purposes
of determining that the provisions of this chapter are fully complied with.
If in the opinion of the Chief of Police or his authorized representative
there is probable cause to enter a massage establishment for the purpose of
making inspections and examinations pursuant to this chapter, he shall request
the owner or occupant thereof to grant permission for such entry, and if refused,
he shall inform the Chief of Police, and he, or his designee, a police officer,
shall make application pursuant to the General Laws of Rhode Island, to a
Judge of the Superior or District Court for a search warrant showing the Judge
why the search warrant should be issued for the purposes set forth in this
chapter.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person holding a permit under this chapter to treat a person of the opposite sex except upon the signed order of a licensed physician, osteopath, chiropractor or registered physical therapist, which order shall be dated and shall specifically state the number of treatments, not to exceed 10. The date and hour of each treatment given and the name of the operator shall be entered on such order by the establishment where such treatments are given and shall be subject to inspection by the police pursuant to § 242-11. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to treatments given in the residence of a patient, the office of a licensed physician, osteopath or registered physical therapist, chiropractor or in a regularly established and licensed hospital or sanitarium.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person in a massage parlor
to place his or her hand or hands upon, to touch with any part of his or her
body, to fondle in any manner or to massage, a sexual or genital part of any
other person. Sexual or genital parts shall include the genitals, pubic area,
buttocks, anus or perineum of any person, or the vulva or breasts of a female.
C.
It shall be unlawful for any person in a massage parlor
to expose his or her sexual or genital parts, or any portion thereof, to any
other person. It shall also be unlawful for any person in a massage parlor
to expose the sexual or genital parts, or any portions thereof, of any other
person.
D.
It shall be unlawful for any person, while in the presence
of any other person in a massage parlor, to fail to conceal, with a fully
opaque covering, the sexual or genital parts of his or her body.
E.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, operating or managing a massage parlor, knowingly to cause, allow or permit in or about such massage parlor, any agent, employee or any other person under his control or supervision to perform such acts prohibited in Subsections A, B and C of this section.
F.
It shall be further unlawful for any permittee under this chapter to administer massage on an "outcall" basis as defined in § 242-1. Such person shall administer massage solely within an establishment licensed to carry on such business under this chapter. Any violation of these provisions shall be deemed grounds for revocation of the permit granted hereunder. The restriction on outcall massage shall not apply to a permittee who performs outcall massage as defined herein upon a customer or client who, because of reasons of physical defects or incapacities or due to illness is physically unable to travel to the massage establishment. If any outcall massage is performed under this exception, a record of the date and hour of each treatment, and the name and address of the customer or client, and the name of the employee administering such treatment and the type of treatment administered, as well as the nature of the physical defect, incapacity or illness of said client or customer shall be kept by the licensee or person or employee designated by the licensee. Such records shall be open to inspection by officials charged with the enforcement of public health laws. The information furnished or secured as a result to any such inspection shall be confidential. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of such information by an employee of the business of the Town shall be unlawful.
G.
It shall be unlawful for any massage service to be carried
on within any cubicle, room, booth or any area within a massage establishment
which is fitted with a door capable of being locked. All doors or doorway
coverings within a massage establishment shall have an unobstructed opening
six inches in size capable of clear two-way viewing into and out of all cubicles,
rooms or booths. The opening shall be not less than 4 1/2 feet from the
floor of the establishment nor more than 5 1/2 feet from the floor. Toilets
and cubicles used solely for the application of liquid and vapor baths shall
have no such opening in the covering door or curtain, but shall be clearly
marked as to purpose on the exterior door or curtain of said cubicle, room
or booth. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to eliminate other requirements
of statute or ordinance concerning the maintenance of premises, nor to preclude
authorized inspection thereof, whenever such inspection is deemed necessary
by the Police or Health Department.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: State law reference - Access and inspection powers,
G.L. 1956, § 23-20.8-8.
A.
Business license. No person shall engage in or carry
out the business of massage unless he has a valid massage business license
issued by the Town pursuant to the provisions of this chapter for each and
every separate office or place of business conducted by such person.
B.
Massagist's permit. No person shall practice massage
as a massagist, employee or otherwise, unless he has a valid and subsisting
massagist's permit issued to him by the Town pursuant to the provisions of
this chapter.
A.
Every applicant for a license to maintain, operate or
conduct a massage establishment shall file an application under oath with
the Town upon a form provided by the Town Clerk and pay a nonrefundable annual
license fee, which shall be $100 per year or any part thereof. The application,
once accepted, shall be referred to the Smithfield Police Department for investigation.
Copies of the application shall within five days also be referred to the Building
Inspector, the Fire Department and the State Health Department. The Departments
shall within 30 days inspect the premises proposed to be operated as a massage
establishment and shall make written verification to the Town Council concerning
compliance with the codes of the Town that they administer. The application
shall further be referred to the Police Department for investigation of the
applicant's character and qualifications. Each application shall contain the
following information:
(1)
A definition of service to be provided;
(2)
The location, mailing address and all telephone numbers
where the business is to be conducted;
(3)
The name and residence address of each applicant. Hereinafter,
all provisions which refer to applicant include an applicant which may be
a corporation or partnership;
(a)
If applicant is a corporation, the names and residence
addresses of each of the officers and directors of said corporation and of
each stockholder owning more than 10% of the stock of the corporation, and
the address of the corporation itself, if different from the address of the
massage establishment;
(b)
If applicant is a partnership, the names and residence
addresses of each of the partners including limited partners, and the address
of the partnership itself, if different from the address of the massage establishment;
(4)
The two previous addresses immediately prior to the present
address of the applicant;
(5)
Proof that the applicant is at least 18 years of age;
(6)
Individual or partnership applicant's height, weight,
color of eyes and hair and sex;
(7)
Copy of identification such as driver's license and social
security card;
(8)
One portrait photograph of the applicant at least two
inches by two inches and a complete set of applicant's fingerprints which
shall be taken by the Chief of Police or his agent. If the applicant is a
corporation, one portrait photograph at least two inches by two inches of
all officers and managing agents of said corporation and a complete set of
the same officers' and agents' fingerprints which shall be taken by the Chief
of Police or his agent. If the applicant is a partnership, one front-face
portrait photograph at least two inches by two inches in size of each partner,
including a limited partner in said partnership, and a complete set of each
partner or limited partner's fingerprints which shall be taken by the Chief
of Police or his agents;
(9)
Business, occupation or employment of the applicant for
the three years immediately preceding the date of application;
(10)
The massage or similar business license history of the
applicant; whether such person, in previously operating in this or another
municipality or state has had a business license revoked or suspended, the
reason therefor and the business activity or occupation subsequent to such
action of suspension or revocation;
(11)
All criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic
violations, including the dates of convictions, nature of the crimes and place
convicted;
(12)
The name and address of each massagist who is or will
be employed in said establishment;
(13)
Applicant must furnish a diploma or certificate of graduation
from a recognized school or other institution of learning wherein the method,
profession and work of massage is taught; provided, however, that if the applicant
will not himself engage in the practice of massage as defined herein, he need
not possess such diploma or certificate of graduation from a recognized school
or other institution of learning wherein the method, profession and work of
massage is taught;
(14)
The name and address of any massage business or other establishment owned or operated by any person whose name is required to be given in Subsection A(3) wherein the business or profession of massage is carried;
(15)
A description of any other business to be operated on
the same premises or on adjoining premises owned or controlled by the applicant;
(16)
Authorization for the Town, its agents and employees
to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements
set forth in the application and the qualifications of the applicant for the
permit;
(17)
Such other identification and information necessary to
discover the truth of the matters hereinbefore specified as required to be
set forth in the application;
(18)
The names, current addresses and written statements of
at least three bona fide permanent residents of the United States that the
applicant is of good moral character. If the applicant is able, the statement
must first be furnished from residents of the Town, then the county, then
the state and lastly from the rest of the United States. These references
must be persons other than relatives and business associates.
B.
Upon the completion of the above provided form and the
furnishing of all foregoing information the Town Council shall accept the
application for the necessary investigations. The holder of a massage establishment
license shall notify the Town Council of each change in any of the data required
to be furnished by this section within 10 days after such change occurs.
An application for a massagist's business permit shall be made to the
Town Council in the same manner as provided in this chapter for massage establishment
licenses, accompanied by the annual nonrefundable massagist's permit fee of
$75 per year or part thereof. The application shall contain but not be limited
to the following:
A.
The business address and all telephone numbers where
the massage is to be practiced;
B.
Name and residence address, and all names, nicknames
and aliases by which the applicant has been known, including the two previous
addresses immediately prior to the present address of the applicant;
C.
Social Security number, driver's license number, if any,
and date of birth;
D.
Applicant's weight, height, color of hair and eyes and
sex.
E.
Written evidence that the applicant is at least 18 years
of age;
F.
A complete statement of all convictions of the applicant
for any felony or misdemeanor or violation of a local ordinance except misdemeanor
traffic violations;
G.
Fingerprints of the applicant taken by the Police Department;
H.
Two front-face portrait photographs taken within 30 days
of the date of application and at least two inches by two inches in size;
I.
The name and address of the recognized school attended,
the dates attended and a copy of the diploma or certificate of graduation
awarded the applicant showing the applicant has completed not less than 70
hours of instruction;
J.
The massage or similar business history and experience
10 years prior to the date of application, including but not limited to whether
or not such person in previously operating in this or another municipality
or state under license or permit has had such license or permit denied, revoked
or suspended and the reasons therefor, and the business activities or occupations
subsequent to such action of denial, suspension or revocation;
K.
The names, current addresses and written statements of
at least five bona fide permanent residents, other than relatives, of the
United States that the applicant is of good moral character. If the applicant
is able, the statement must first be furnished from residents of the Town,
then the county, then the state and lastly from the rest of the United States;
L.
A medical certificate signed by a physician, licensed
to practice in the state, within seven days of the date of the application.
The certificate shall state that the applicant was examined by the certifying
physician and that the applicant is free of communicable disease. The additional
information required by this subsection shall be provided at the applicant's
expense;
M.
Such other information, identification and physical examination
of the person deemed necessary by the police chief in order to discover the
truth of the matters hereinbefore required to be set forth in the application;
N.
Authorization for the Town, its agents and employees
to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements
set forth in the application and the qualifications of the applicant for the
permit; and
O.
Written and declaration by the applicant, under penalty
of perjury, that the foregoing information contained in the application is
true and correct, said declaration being duly dated and signed in the Town.
The Town shall issue a license for a massage establishment or a permit
for a masseur or masseuse after ratification by the Town Council, if all requirements
for a massage establishment or massagist permit described in this chapter
are met, unless if finds:
A.
The correct permit or license fee has not been tendered
to the Town, and, in the case of a check or bank draft, honored with payment
upon presentation;
B.
The operation, as proposed by the applicant, if permitted,
would not comply with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to,
the Town's building or zoning, and the state's health regulations;
C.
Convictions.
(1)
The applicant, if an individual, or any of the stockholders
holding more than 10% of the stock of the corporation, any of the officers
and directors, if the applicant is a corporation; or any of the partners,
including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; or the holder
of any lien, of any nature, upon the business and/or the equipment used therein;
and the manager or other person principally in charge of the operation of
the business, have been convicted of any of the following offenses or convicted
of an offense without the state that would have constituted any of the following
offenses if committed within the state:
(2)
The Town may issue a license or permit to any person convicted of any of the crimes described in Subsection C(1)(a) or (c) of this section if it finds that such conviction occurred at least five years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has had no subsequent felony convictions of any nature and no subsequent misdemeanor convictions for crime mentioned in this section;
D.
The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading
or fraudulent statement of fact in the permit application or in any document
required by the Town in conjunction therewith;
E.
The applicant has had a massage business, masseur or
other similar permit or license denied, revoked or suspended by the Town or
any other state or local agency within five years prior to the date of the
application; or
F.
The applicant, if an individual, or any of the officers
and directors, if the applicant is a corporation; or any of the partners,
including limited partners, if the applicant is a partnership; and the manager
or other person principally in charge of the operation of the business, is
not over the age of 18 years.
The Town shall act to approve or deny an application for a license or
permit under this chapter within a reasonable period of time and in no event
shall the Town act to approve or deny said license or permit later than 90
days from the date that said application was accepted by the Town Council.
Every license or permit issued pursuant to this chapter will terminate at
the expiration of one year from the date of its issuance unless sooner suspended
or revoked.
The Town shall waive the requirements of § 242-15I if the applicant furnishes satisfactory evidence that he or she attended not less than 70 hours of instruction in a school within or without this state or in any foreign country that provides education substantially equal to or in excess of the educational requirements of this chapter.
Should any massage business have more than one location where the business
of massage is pursued, then a permit, stating both the address of the principal
place of business and of the other locations, shall be issued by the Chief
of Police upon the tender of a license fee of $100. Licenses issued for other
locations shall terminate on the same date as that of the principal place
of business, regardless of the date of issuance.
No license or permit issued under this chapter shall be transferable except with the consent of the Town Council. An application for such transfer shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by fees prescribed in §§ 242-14 and 242-15. The written application for such transfer shall contain the same information as requested herein for initial application for the license or permit.
Any license issued for a massage establishment may be revoked or suspended
by the Town after notice and a hearing, for good cause, or in any case where
any of the provisions of this chapter are violated or where any employee of
the licensee, including a masseur or masseuse, is engaged in any conduct which
violates any of the state or local laws or ordinances at the licensee's place
of business and the licensee has actual or constructive knowledge by due diligence.
Such permit may also be revoked or suspended by the Town after notice and
hearing, upon the recommendations of the state health department that such
business is being managed, conducted or maintained without regard to proper
sanitation and hygiene.
A masseur or masseuse permit issued under this chapter by the Chief
of Police shall be revoked or suspended where it appears that the masseur
or masseuse has been convicted of any offense which would be cause for denial
of a permit upon an original application, has made a false statement on an
application for a permit, or has committed an act in violation of this chapter.
No person granted a license pursuant to this chapter shall operate the
massage establishment under a name not specified in his license, nor shall
he conduct business under any designation or location not specified in his
license.
Upon the sale, transfer or relocation of a massage establishment, the license therefor shall be null and void unless approved as provided in § 242-16; provided, however, that upon the death or incapacity of the licensee or any colicensee of the massage establishment, any heir or devisee of a deceased licensee, or any guardian of an heir or devisee of a deceased licensee, may continue the business of the massage establishment for a reasonable period of time not to exceed 60 days to allow for an orderly transfer of the license.
