No touching at TYC - not without another 200 hours training.

Two bills about state-approved training passed through the Lege this session and have now become law.

House Bill 2644 raises the minimum hours of training to become a licensed masseur from 300 to 500 hours, reaching the national standard.

Senate Bill 103, the Texas Youth Commission reform bill, mandates that a guard receive 300 hours of training before he or she can work by him- or herself. This was amended down in committee to include on-the-job training.

So let’s get this clear – you have to be trained longer to get a crick out of someone’s neck than to be allowed to guard at-risk kids, some with severe emotional and behavioral problems?

This article appears in June 15 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.