THERE'S RUB IN MASSAGE RULES REDRAFT PROPOSED LAW, THERAPISTS REQUEST.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- A proposed municipal ordinance to regulate massage businesses -- some of which have become fronts for prostitution, illegal drug activity and money laundering, city officials say -- has rubbed massage therapists the wrong way.

The proposed ordinance would set standards for permits for massage therapists and establish restrictions that would help prevent illicit activities, according to city officials. There are at least 240 masssage therapists in the city, they said.

But massage therapists say city officials are considering requirements and fees that would be unreasonable and punitive for a profession that is for the most part law-abiding.

``It seems we are being punished for probably less than 1 percent of the massage-therapy neighborhood,'' massage therapist Vernon Kendrick said.

Other massage therapists, attending a nearly two-hour meeting Tuesday at City Hall, complained that they were not consulted on drafting the proposal.

``You should have someone with knowledge of massage to work with you. When we leave here, and all this is revised, there won't be another meeting to voice our opinion,'' said Vonnie Jones, massage director of High Desert Medical College.

City officials agreed to meet with five representatives selected from among massage therapists who submit their names and qualifications to the city.

``We are not trying to put you out of business. We do want to deal with the problem,'' City Attorney David McEwen said.

Currently, massage-therapy businesses are required to obtain a city business license. Under the proposed ordinance, they also would have to get a massage-therapist permit and an operator permit, and there would be city fees to process applications.

Each massage therapist also would need proof of having passed a national certification exam or having completed 500 hours of education in the field.

The proposed ordinance had earlier been sent out to massage therapists for comment, and those drafting the measure had already made some revisions, such as eliminating a need to submit three sets of plans to City Hall and removing a prohibition on massaging buttocks. As one massage therapist explained at the meeting, the buttocks are massaged to help with lower-back problems.

``We are taught professional draping in school,'' said Marjorie Sly, director of A.V. Medical Career College. ``If you walk in and there's an exposed flank, it's part of our practice.''

Sly added, ``The people in this room keep people in the community working. We keep our community well. I really want you to know that.''

The proposed ordinance also states that the private areas of therapists themselves are to be fully covered in nontransparent material, and it regulates the lengths of sleeves on shirts and dresses and of hems on dresses, skirts or shorts.

The ordinance also calls for surprise inspections by sheriff's deputies at a business with a prior criminal violation, as for prostitution or drug sales, McEwen said.

One therapist said she would not ``feel comfortable with allowing someone to walk in unannounced and it being their word against ours.''

In the past, deputies have come in as clients to check out the premises, Kendrick noted. ``There are other ways to inspect that are less invasive,'' he said.

Sheriff's Lt. Wallace Fullerton said six deputies in a special detail conduct surprise inspections of such businesses for all of Los Angeles County.

``It's not physically possible for them to descend on the Antelope Valley,'' Fullerton said.

The proposal also calls for separate massage rooms for a male patron and a female patron if both were treated simultaneously.

But Sly explained that she performs massages for a couple for a wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day or other occasion, and she said a couple might get such treatment through a gift certificate from their children.

``I can assure you he is exhausted and so is she. I request that to be amended,'' Sly said.

Steve Malicott, president and chief executive of the Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has not taken a position for or against the proposed ordinance. He recommended setting up a task force to work with those drafting the measure before the City Council votes on it.

``We don't want to see any business over-regulated. Any ordinance should be fair and equitable for all businesses and not single out any particular industry,'' Mallicott said.

Mayor Henry Hearns dropped by to thank massage therapists for attending the Tuesday meeting. He said he goes to a therapist at least once every other month and would go more often if he could afford it.

``It's good to have you taking the time and making sure we understand what you are unhappy with. I want you to know there are people who are not (honest therapists), as you are. We don't want them here,'' Hearns said. ``We want good people like yourself who make people better.''

State legislation has been proposed that would require state licensing of massage therapists and address some of city officials' concerns, McEwen said. The bill could be acted on by the end of August.

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com

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