Oregon bill aims to deter human trafficking in illicit massage businesses - KOIN.com

[Michaela Bourgeois]

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill in an effort to crack down on human trafficking in illicit massage businesses.

On Thursday, the Oregon House passed House Bill 3819, which would allow the State Board of Massage Therapists to post violation placards at businesses proven to have engaged in criminal activity, impose higher fines and increase criminal penalties for illicit operations.

The bill would also add licensed massage therapists to Oregon’s mandatory reporters list and create temporary practice permits for out-of-state practitioners.

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“With this bill, I am responding to the call of my community that human trafficking must not continue in our backyard,” said Representative Thủy Trần (D‑Portland), a chief sponsor of the bill. “By giving the Board new authority and stronger enforcement tools, we can begin to shut down these illegal operations, while supporting legitimate massage therapists, and ensuring survivors get the help they deserve. These criminal enterprises do not belong in our state.”

Under the bill, the State Board of Massage Therapists could impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, opposed to the current $1,000 penalty per violation.

If signed into law, the bill would charge repeat offenders with a Class C felony, marking a stricter penalty compared to the current Class A misdemeanor penalty, and is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

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In a press release, the Democratic Oregon House Majority Office said human trafficking in the massage industry is the second most reported form of trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and generates more than $5 billion annually in illicit revenue while exploiting victims.

“We’re not going to sit by and let criminals operate unchecked in our communities, and we’re not turning our backs on the women being trafficked and abused in these illegal facilities,” said Senator Kathleen Taylor (D‑Portland), co-chief-sponsor of the bill. “Representative Tran’s work on this issue is going to make a difference.”

The bill passed in a 51-2 House vote and will have its first Senate reading April 21.

Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D-Aloha, Beaverton & Hillsboro), one of the lawmakers who voted against the bill, submitted a vote explanation.

In the explanation, Rep. Chaichi said she supports efforts to protect workers from labor and sex trafficking, however, “My office has heard from advocates representing small Chinese-owned businesses that have grave concerns that this bill, even accounting for well-intentioned amendments, could unintentionally lead to discrimination, racial profiling, and violence against workers and business owners.”

“Most concerning is the fact that massage parlor employees, small business owners, and consensual sex workers dedicated to fighting human sex trafficking were not included in the decision-making process – erasing their voices and lived experiences along the way. It is imperative that we include the perspectives of those who this bill purports to protect,” Chaichi furthered. “In this office, we unequivocally believe that voluntary and consensual sex work is real work and is deserving of the same dignity, respect, and protections of any other industry.”

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In written testimony, Robert Ruark, executive director of the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, described some of the safety measures the board has taken over the years.

According to Ruark, Oregon has seen the introduction and growth of the illicit massage industry over the last five to 10 years, explaining these businesses do not employ legitimate, licensed massage therapists.

In 2019, Oregon had approximately 63 known illicit massage businesses, Ruark wrote, noting, this has grown to an estimated 301 IMBs in 2025.

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Ruark noted the Board’s previous work to address IMBs in the state, including creating a landlord engagement program to educate landlords about IMBs to help them make decisions about leasing properties to potential illicit storefronts.

The Board also helps communities develop ordinances to eliminate IMBs.

“OBMT recognizes that the board cannot resolve this problem alone. Addressing this problem will require a multi-agency approach that includes State and local governments, community service providers (Safety Compass, Polaris Project and others), landlords, the criminal justice system, and public support. These entities will have to act together to educate, inform and enforce, with a victim-centric approach, and design effective efforts to reduce and eliminate IMBs,” Ruark wrote.