Efforts Against Human Trafficking Led To New Ordinance

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Falls Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday to adopt an ordinance requiring all massage establishments and alternative therapy establishments obtain an annual license to operate.

According to Police Chief Nelson Whitney, the regulation is aimed at detecting and preventing human trafficking. Whitney noted in Monday night’s meeting that police recently made a human trafficking arrest in Falls Township. He says the ordinance is “keeping pace” with efforts in Bucks County at large.

Township attorney Lauren Gallagher agreed, saying that the ordinance is modeled after other regulations enacted locally. Townships including Hatboro, Abington, and Quakertown have recently made similar efforts.

In a 2018 report on 9,000 massage parlors linked to human trafficking, NBC said 700 were located in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

The ordinance guidelines require that all massage therapists be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and submit copies of state licenses along with applications to license an establishment. Alternative therapy technicians must all be licensed by Falls Township, with proof of education, training or certification of graduation required for all applicants.