RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A bill to regulate North Carolina’s massage parlors to crack down on human trafficking has received preliminary House approval.
In a 110-5 vote Wednesday, members backed legislation requiring massage and bodywork therapy establishments to be licensed. The law now requires only that massage therapists be licensed. It would cost $20 to apply for a license and there would initial license and renewal fees.
Bill sponsor Randolph County Republican Rep. Allen McNeill says the legislation is meant to allow the state regulate the parlors, which are sometimes used as a front for prostitution and illegal sexual activities.
The measure needs one more House vote before going to the Senate, where a competing proposal also would increase the punishment for violating human trafficking laws and spread awareness about the forced sex trade.
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This story has been corrected to read that House gave the bill preliminary approval instead of final approval.
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