Henderson delays new massage rules

Jeffrey Libby

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

The Henderson city attorney's office has delayed opposite-sex outcall massage service until questions surrounding the proposed ordinance have been answered.

"We need to have sufficient time to look into the issues as they relate to currently licensed massage therapists and as to the fiscal impact that may occur if the ordinance is adopted," Cindy Herman, a city spokeswoman, said Wednesday.

The Henderson City Council on Aug. 21 was scheduled to vote on the ordinance, which would allow the service while increasing licensing requirements.

If approved, a massage therapist could travel to a hotel or home and provide massage service to members of the opposite sex, a first for the Las Vegas Valley. The City of Las Vegas and Clark County commissioners voted to allow only same-sex outcall massages when they updated laws in the mid-1990s. North Las Vegas and Mesquite have similar laws.

The proposal worries some city officials, who say the ordinance could be abused, as well as police, who say it would encourage prostitution. Outcall service is prohibited in Henderson.

But staff members in the City Clerk's office and the business licensing department say they are receiving phone calls from massage therapists, who are concerned about retaining their current licenses.

The proposed ordinance increases required training from 500 to 700 hours, requires national certification and a work card. Current therapists would have a year to obtain national certification.

Massage establishments have six months to make cosmetic changes required by the new ordinance. These would include removal of one-way mirrors and 60-watt light bulbs.

A required business impact statement was not done, Liza Conroy, an assistant city attorney, said.

Bill Adomeit, a senior business licensing officer who conducted much of the research, said that all week he has fielded calls from local therapists, licensing officers in California and Arizona and the general public.

"I tell you what, I've lost a lot of weight this week," Adomeit said. "It's been a refreshing experience. I've learned a lot about public awareness. And I think it's fantastic."