Ramsey amends law on massage therapy regulations to conform with state's - NorthJerse

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Ramsey — By bringing its ordinance governing massage therapists and parlors in town into compliance with state law, the Borough Council is easing local authorities' control over such businesses.
An amendment to the ordinance, recommended by the Ramsey Police Department, was introduced on Wednesday, July 24, will bring it into conformance with state law on massage therapy licensing requirements, Councilwoman Deirdre Dillon said.
Massage therapists in the borough came under the radar after five employees at massage parlors were arrested on prostitution charges more than a year ago: two at Ion Spa, at 875 Route 17, and two at Stress Reduction Center, 19 Spear Road, in January 2011, and one at Ocean Spa, 66 E. Main St.
And the council has been tweaking the law since it was first approved in October 2011 to curb illegal activity, particularly because the crimes had occurred in the vicinity of borough schools.
"At the time when the borough passed it [the original ordinance], the state didn't have one," Mayor Christopher Botta said. "Now it conforms to the state statute in every way possible."
Aspects of the original ordinance that have been affected are:
* Requirements for licensing massage establishments, which called for addresses and contact information of prior residences and employment in the previous 10 years.
* Requirements for licensing massage practitioners, which called for photographing, fingerprinting, supplying addresses and contact information of prior residences and employment in the last 10 years, and a license fee of $25. Fingerprinting, prior residence information and the fee are no longer required; instead, applicants must proved prior employment history of the last five years and a copy of a state massage license.
* Licenses for establishments and practitioners expire every two years with a renewal fee of $50 and $10, respectively, and a renewal fee of $10 for sole owners. The licenses had expired annually and had a $100 and $25 renewal fee, respectively.
* Posting prices in the reception areas along with signage advising patrons to keep genital areas covered. This requirement has been eliminated.