Two Republican Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill into the Ohio House of Representatives to combat human trafficking by providing oversight for unlicensed massage businesses.
House Bill (HB) 255, sponsored by State Representatives Kevin Miller (R-Newark) and Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), aims to establish a Non-Therapeutic Massage Registry in Ohio through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide “needed oversight” for unlicensed non-therapeutic-massage-establishments.
Non-therapeutic massages are massage techniques performed for reasons other than treating disorders of the human body. According to the lawmakers, establishments that provide these services are often unlicensed.
According to Miller, many of these establishments are fronts for criminal activity, and this legislation aims to provide needed oversight for these unlicensed businesses.
“Currently, there is a lack of oversight for individuals who work within these establishments. Many of these establishments are fronts for criminal activity including but not limited to drug trafficking, prostitution, human and sex trafficking, and lewd behavior. By implementing this registry, we aim to tackle the issue of bad actors operating outside the bounds of legal regulations,” Miller said.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, massage and spa establishments rank second among U.S. locations for sex trafficking. Since 2007, the hotline has found 3,102 instances of human trafficking in Ohio, involving 6,013 victims. The hotline discovered 12 massage parlors in Ohio in 2021 serving as fronts for human trafficking.
The lawmakers introduced the legislation after authorities served multiple search warrants inside a massage parlor in Pickerington, Ohio, last month. Law enforcement said they suspected the company was a front for human trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering.
The lawmakers stated that the registry will serve as a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies, providing them with critical information to identify illegitimate establishments, monitor their activities, and take appropriate action against those involved in illegal practices.
Under the legislation, the Ohio Department of Public Safety would require applicants to go through an application process to register as practicing firms or individuals.
Registrations will not be accepted if the department discovers that the applicant had a prior license or certificate revoked or if the person has engaged in other behavior that “specifies as cause for denial or revocation.”
According to Ghanbari, he believes this legislation will play an important role in helping protect Ohio communities.
“As our state continues to grow, we must proactively address issues that may compromise the safety and well-being of Ohioans. Rep. Miller and I firmly believe that this legislation will play a pivotal role in safeguarding our communities from the negative impacts associated with unlicensed massage establishments,” Ghanbari said.
The lawmakers introduced the legislation into the Ohio House, and it awaits committee assignment for review.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
