WisEye Morning Minute: Human Trafficking in Massage Therapy

On May 2, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a hearing on Assembly Bill 143 which is violation of the law relating to the practice of massage therapy or bodywork therapy. Representative Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) introduced the legislation to address human trafficking at massage or body work businesses. Currently, local jurisdictions do not have the authority to investigate this issue since massage therapy licenses are issued on a state level. Rep. Sanfelippo emphasized that this legislation will give local jurisdictions more authority but will not affect reputable establishments. A McFarland police chief, Craig Shervan, testified on the bill and explained how he is currently in an investigation on a massage therapy facility suspected of illegal activity but faces obstacles under the current law. On a national level, there are an estimated 9,000 operating illicit massage businesses fronting for human trafficking.
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