To stop businesses that fraudulently present themselves to be massage establishments but are fronts for prostitution, human trafficking and other unlawful activities, Mesa is changing its city code.
It will expand regulatory requirements to bodywork establishments; focus on manager, owner and landlord responsibility; and place additional restrictions on massage and bodywork establishments to reduce unlawful activity, police officials say.
The Mesa City Council on Sept. 13 approved the changes, with most going into effect in 30 days, and a requirement that bodywork establishments be licensed starting in January.
