The Board of Supervisors set in motion a new ordinance proposed by the Kern County Department of Public Health for new regulations on massage parlors.
The ordinance would require all massage parlor's to obtain an annual operating permit.
Massage practitioners would also have to be certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
Additionally, the ordinance would allow the Kern County Public Health Department to regulate massage establishments in Kern County to ensure they maintain a safe and sanitary environment and to establish reasonable standards to reduce the opportunity for acts of prostitution and human trafficking to occur in massage establishments.
The proposed ordinance requires owners of massage establishment to apply for a permit through the Kern County Public Health Services Department, including obtaining a background check and ensuring the proposed massage establishment meets the minimum requirements of the Kern County Building Code.
The department will conduct an annual inspection of each permitted establishment to ensure compliance with the ordinance.
The department will also partner with the Kern County Sheriff's Office to investigate all complaints and reports of suspected or known prostitution and/or human trafficking activities in massage establishments.
The next hearing on this ordinance is set to happen on Tuesday August 22nd, officials encourage all community members to come out and express their opinions on the ordinance.
If the ordinance passes on the 22nd, it will go into effect 30 days later.
