A group of local massage therapists from Billings officially filed a federal case against the City on April 6 that challenges a city ordinance that “forces therapists to allow random, unannounced searches of their businesses and patient records,” according to a press release. The group said if a therapist asserts their right to a search warrant under the Fourth Amendment, then they risk criminal prosecution under current city codes. Theresa Vondra, Deborah Kimmet, and Donna Podolak, all part of the Business League for Massage Therapy & Bodywork (BLMTB), are leading plaintiffs in the case.
Members of BLMTB said their clients value privacy and confidentiality in their care, and that Ordinance 21-5757 of City Code threatens those values, making clients feel unsafe and intimidated. Vondra said, “If police can invade [my] business and access client records, massage rooms… and other private areas without notice or a warrant, that puts [my] patients, employees and business at risk.”
Kimmet, who is the Executive Director for BLMTB, told YCN that, of course, the League “opposes human trafficking; it’s a heinous crime.” Kimmet stated the solution, however, must come from society, not the City Council.
The League explained how they have opposed Ordinance 21-5757 since its inception, but described the hasty fashion with which it was passed. Opposing parties were only given roughly 20 minutes to state their case, whereas proponents of the ordinance had the floor for over an hour. Kimmet told YCN that the mayor, Bill Cole, asked her, “Why don’t you gals just take one for the team?” during a private meeting between city officials and local therapists.
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