On Wednesday the Senate passed a bill requiring message therapists to be licensed to practice in Idaho, according to the Spokesman-Review.

Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, said that 43 states currently require massage therapists to be licensed. He also said that massage therapy is sometimes prescribed by a doctor as part of physical therapy and licensing  “assures that the provision of this therapy is accomplished in a … safe and medically appropriate manner.”

Those opposed to the legislation did not feel it is the state's responsibility to license therapists.