In a significant move to combat the growing issue of illicit massage businesses in Utah, state regulators and law enforcement officials announced a new law designed to hold business owners accountable for illegal activities often linked to human trafficking and prostitution. This initiative was unveiled during a press conference on January 14, 2026, at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building, where Margaret Busse, the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, articulated the law’s objectives and its potential impact on the community. The new legislation comes as a response to a troubling trend in Utah, where law enforcement reports that shutting down one illicit massage business often leads to another opening nearby. Police and state regulators have expressed frustration over their inability to effectively address this issue, as workers frequently refuse to cooperate during investigations, and business owners tend to vanish before any accountability can be enforced. "This is your warning. Get out of town. Get out of our state," Busse stated emphatically, underscoring the urgency of the situation. She emphasized that these illegal operations tarnish the reputation of legitimate massage businesses that adhere to ethical practices and provide safe, professional services to their clients. The 2025 law, which took effect in October, amends existing regulations by removing a long-standing administrative loophole that previously allowed state regulators to penalize only the workers in illicit establishments rather than the business owners. "We are now able to shift our focus from the exploited to the exploiters," Busse explained, highlighting the law's aim to target those who profit from illegal activities. Under the new regulations, all massage businesses are required to register with the Utah Department of Commerce. The law mandates comprehensive background checks and fingerprinting for business owners and general managers, a move aimed at ensuring that only reputable individuals operate within the industry. Additionally, the law empowers state inspectors to conduct unannounced inspections of massage businesses to verify compliance. Mark Steinagel, the Director of the Utah Division of Professional Licensing, emphasized the importance of these inspections, stating, "It’s unlawful conduct to resist, to lock the door, to keep the inspectors from entering the premises to ensure compliance with the law." Previously, while individual massage therapists were required to obtain licenses, there was no regulatory framework for the businesses themselves or their ownership structures. Should a business fail to register in compliance with the new law, the state has the authority to notify local city governments, which can subsequently revoke business licenses, thereby removing illegal operators from the market more effectively. The necessity of this law has been underscored by the alarming statistics reported by Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, who noted that of nearly 200 suspected illicit massage businesses in Utah, 61 are located within Salt Lake City. "It’s very hard to shut these businesses down," Redd remarked, acknowledging the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying the actual owners behind these operations. He expressed optimism that the new licensing system will provide critical information that could aid in future investigations and enforcement actions. The law, which passed last year, faced initial resistance from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), which argued that an earlier version would have weakened oversight rather than strengthened it. However, the final version received support from professionals within the industry, including Roger Olbrot, a licensed massage therapist in Sugar House and former president of the AMTA. Olbrot articulated the sentiments of many in the field, stating that the new law allows legitimate massage therapists to distance themselves from illicit practices, saying, "I’ve been in the business now 27 years, and even today, I get solicitations for illicit practice." As other states grapple with similar issues, such as Colorado, where cities like Aurora have enacted stricter regulations for massage businesses, Utah's new law is seen as a robust framework that could serve as a model for effective enforcement. Jeff Shumway from Utah’s Office of Professional Licensure Review pointed out that while other states have laws requiring registration, many lack the necessary resources to enforce them effectively. The comprehensive approach taken by Utah may set a precedent for how states can tackle the pervasive issue of illicit massage businesses. As the Utah Department of Commerce prepares to roll out the registration process in the spring of this year, stakeholders from various sectors are hopeful that this law will lead to a significant reduction in illicit activities and improve the overall integrity of the massage therapy profession in the state. The implications of this law extend beyond mere regulation; they represent a concerted effort to protect vulnerable individuals and restore public trust in licensed massage services. With community safety and professional integrity at the forefront, Utah aims to reclaim its massage therapy industry from the shadows of exploitation.