Montgomery County officials say some bodyworks and spas are operating as fronts for human trafficking, and they want new rules to stop operators from reopening under new names.
Why the bill matters for residents
Councilmember Dawn Luedtke plans to introduce Bill 34-26 Tuesday. She says the goal is to protect vulnerable people and prevent illegal operations from returning to neighborhoods after enforcement actions.
Since June 2024, the county has increased inspections of massage and bodywork businesses. Officials have issued at least 40 civil citations to 25 spas. Police have also charged at least 13 spa owners with felony offenses for aiding and abetting illegal massage operations. The county also cited two businesses for illegal operations during the licensing process.
County leaders say some operators shut down after enforcement, then reopen under new business names. They believe this pattern puts residents at risk and makes it harder to stop trafficking.
What the bill would change
Bill 34-26 would tighten licensing rules for bodywork establishments. It would require applicants to disclose all corporate officers and business managers to the Department of Health and Human Services. The department would be barred from issuing a license if any of those individuals has been convicted of, pleaded guilty or been found responsible for human trafficking or prostitution related offenses. Applicants also would be ineligible if those individuals previously owned or managed a bodywork establishment whose license was revoked.
Luedtke says the change would close a loophole that allows illegal operators to return under new names.
What police are seeing
Sgt. Melissa Maines of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit says investigators have found several massage and bodywork businesses that hide trafficking operations. She says owners and employees tied to illegal activity often reopen at new locations after enforcement actions.
Maines believes the bill would help prevent repeat offenses and strengthen protections for victims. She also says it would support legitimate businesses by making it harder for illegal operators to blend in.
What happens next
Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Sidney Katz are cosponsoring the bill. The county will hold a public hearing on Sept. 15.
Residents can learn more about Bill 34-26 on the County Council’s website.
