LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new crackdown is coming to massage parlors across Louisville, and city leaders said it's about protecting people, not just enforcing rules.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness announced all massage businesses in Jefferson County will now be required to get a local license, part of a broader push to shut down illegal operations.
About 1 in 10 massage businesses in the area are operating without proper authorization, the city said. Some of those locations, officials warn, may be tied to human trafficking and exploitation.
The new rule came after Metro Council passed an ordinance in November aimed at tightening oversight. Businesses have until June 1 to comply.
Health officials said inspectors will be trained to spot warning signs of trafficking and help connect victims with support.
"All of our efforts are focused on removing those illicit establishments," said Connie Mendel, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. "They're in our neighborhoods — near schools, restaurants and even inside residential areas."
City leaders are also asking the community to stay alert. If something feels off, residents and landlords can report concerns to Metro 311.
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