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Public interest or policy diffusion: Analyzing the effects of massage therapist municipal licensing

Author

Listed:
  • Darwyyn Deyo

    (San Jose State University)

  • Kofi Ampaabeng

    (George Mason University)

  • Conor Norris

    (West Virginia University)

  • Edward Timmons

    (West Virginia University)

Abstract

Massage therapy is widely licensed by the states. However, municipalities also often passed massage therapist licensing, motivated by preventing prostitution. Using a novel dataset on municipal licensing and crime data from the FBI, we test if local massage therapist licensing reduced prostitution. We also test a policy diffusion hypothesis, in which cities pass responsive massage therapist licensing. We find that municipal massage therapist licensing does not lead to a reduction in prostitution, but we find support for the policy diffusion hypothesis, with municipalities up to 65% more likely to pass responsive licensing within three years of their neighbor doing so.

Suggested Citation

  • Darwyyn Deyo & Kofi Ampaabeng & Conor Norris & Edward Timmons, 2022. "Public interest or policy diffusion: Analyzing the effects of massage therapist municipal licensing," Working Papers 22-02, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:22-02
    as

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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&context=econ_working-papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    JEL classification:

    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • K29 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Other
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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