Sec. 702.003. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Closed" means a condition in which:

(A) the facilities of a health spa are no longer available to the health spa's members and equivalent facilities located not more than 10 miles from the health spa have not been made available to the members;

(B) a certificate holder sells a registered location and the security filed or posted by the certificate holder under Subchapter D is:

(i) canceled;

(ii) withdrawn; or

(iii) otherwise unavailable to the members of the health spa; or

(C) a certificate holder sells a registered location and the buyer does not adopt or honor the contracts of existing members of the health spa.

(2) "Contract" means an agreement between a seller and purchaser by which the purchaser becomes a member of a health spa.

(3) "Facilities" means the equipment, physical structures, improvements, including improvements to leasehold premises, and other tangible property, including saunas, whirlpool baths, gymnasiums, running tracks, swimming pools, shower areas, racquetball courts, martial arts equipment, and exercise equipment, that are located at a health spa and used to conduct the business of the health spa.

(4) "Health spa" means a business that offers for sale, or sells, memberships that provide the members instruction in or the use of facilities for a physical exercise program. The term does not include:

(A) an organization that is tax exempt under Section 501 et seq., Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Section 501 et seq.);

(B) a private club owned and operated by its members;

(C) an entity operated exclusively to:

(i) teach dance or aerobic exercise; or

(ii) provide physical rehabilitation activity related to an individual's injury or disease;

(D) a person engaged in an activity authorized under a license issued by the state;

(E) an activity conducted or sanctioned by a school under the Education Code; or

(F) a hospital or clinic owned or operated by an agency of the state or federal government or by a political subdivision of this state.

(5) "Location" means the physical site of the facilities of a health spa.

(6) "Member" means a person who is entitled to the benefits of membership in a health spa.

(7) "Membership" means the status of a person under a contract that entitles the person to use a health spa's services or facilities.

(8) "Obligor" means a person, other than a surety, who is obligated to perform if a certificate holder defaults.

(9) "Open" means the date each service of a health spa that was advertised before the opening, or promised to be made available, are available for use by its members.

(10) "Prepayment" means consideration paid by a purchaser for membership in a health spa before the date the health spa opens.

(11) "Purchaser" means a person who purchases, or applies to purchase, the right to use a health spa's services or facilities.

(12) "Registered location" means a health spa location for which a health spa operator's certificate of registration is issued under this chapter.

(13) "Seller" means a person who:

(A) owns or operates a health spa; or

(B) offers for sale, or sells, the right to use a health spa's services or facilities.

(14) "Services" means the programs, plans, guidance, or instruction that a health spa provides for its members. The term includes diet planning, exercise instruction and programs, and instructional classes.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 887 (S.B. 335), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.