Massage facility ordinance

A massage business owner described how the ordinance nearly tripled her break-even revenue and forced her near closure, and asked the council to pass the amendments.

Thanked council members who worked with the therapists' alliance and asked for a yes vote on the amendment protecting both vulnerable people and licensed professionals.

A 20-year massage therapist described feeling labeled a criminal by the original ordinance and asked the council to pass the compromise amendments.

A licensed massage therapist who closed his Louisville practice, saying the ordinance forces LMTs to violate HIPAA and state confidentiality law or face massive fines.

A licensed massage therapist said enforcement has been slow (only eight inspections, five licenses), the ordinance burdens legitimate LMTs instead of traffickers, and asked for a fairer amendment.

A licensed massage therapist argued single practitioners can't traffic anyone, asked that state-licensed solo LMTs be exempt so resources target unlicensed operators, and echoed privacy concerns.

A licensed massage therapist of 22 years asked the Council to treat licensed therapists as partners, saying the ordinance undermines trust and burdens lawful businesses.

A licensed massage therapist urged exempting LMTs, citing privacy, cost, and duplicate state regulation.

A trauma-therapy studio owner asked for exemptions from unlocked-door, camera and signage mandates, saying they retraumatize survivors.

A licensed massage therapist and task force member strongly supported including LMTs in the ordinance, calling it a necessary beginning against illicit massage businesses.

A Crescent Hill massage business owner (25 years in business) said the ordinance's unlocked-door, no-privacy-lock and ID rules would burden legitimate practices and clients.

A licensed prenatal massage therapist asked for an exemption for licensed practitioners, citing state background checks, exams and ethics requirements.

A solo-practice licensed massage therapist asked the council to exempt solo practitioners, saying the $200 fee, cameras and records rules are disproportionate for one-person shops.