04/23/2025
Great progress for our colleagues practicing in Oregon! Now Washington, catch up!
The Oregon House recently passed House Bill 3819-A on April 17, 2025, with a 51–2 vote, aiming to combat illicit massage businesses often linked to human trafficking and the exploitation of women, particularly Asian women. 
Key Provisions of HB 3819-A
• Increased Fines: Raises the civil penalty for operating an unlicensed massage facility from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation. 
• Public Warnings: Empowers the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists to post placards on businesses found in violation, warning customers. 
• Stronger Penalties for Repeat Offenders: Elevates repeat offenses from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine. 
• Mandatory Reporting: Designates massage therapists as “public or private officials,” making them mandatory reporters of abuse. 
Legislative Motivation
Representative Thuy Tran (D-Portland), whose district includes areas with a high concentration of illicit massage businesses, emphasized that these establishments often exploit trafficked women. She highlighted the issue of the hypersexualization of Asian women, stating, “The illicit massage industry systematically exploits Asian women nationwide to meet these racist and sexist demands.” 
Tran’s awareness of the issue was heightened following a 2024 investigative report by Willamette Week, which detailed the proliferation of such businesses in Oregon. 
Next Steps
Having passed the House, HB 3819-A is now under consideration by the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee. If enacted, the law is set to become operative on January 1, 2026.  
For more detailed information, you can review the full bill text here: HB 3819-A PDF.
