Tennessee law to allow counselors to deny service based on beliefs

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Tennessee law to allow counselors to deny service based on beliefs

By Alex Dobuzinskis
April 28, 2016

(Reuters) - Tennessee's Republican governor on Wednesday signed a law allowing mental health counselors to refuse service to patients on "sincerely held principles," the latest in a string of U.S. state measures criticized as discriminatory against the gay community.

Governor Bill Haslam signed the bill into law three weeks after it was approved by the legislature. It goes into effect immediately.

"The substance of this bill doesn't address a group, issue or belief system," Haslam said in a statement.

"Rather, it allows counselors – just as we allow other professionals like doctors and lawyers – to refer a client to another counselor when the goals or behaviors would violate a sincerely held principle."

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/tennessee-law-allow-counselors-deny-based-beliefs-130359460.html?nhp=1

[Justice]

1. wholly wow. Unbelievable.

[forest444]

2. I wonder if this would apply to Scott "abort, woman!" Desjarlais.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/10/scott-desjarlais-abortion-pro-life_n_1953136.html

[houston16revival]

3. Not very professional

and those practicing would find a way out of serving people they didn't want to serve anyway

why would a patient want to see a counselor who doesn't want to see them?

This just ruffles and exposes the whole patient client relationship

[Blandocyte]

4. Weeeell, that sets counelors up againt their code of ethics

Chances are counselors who don't know enough about GLBTQ issues were referring clients to colleagues who do, in line with the ethical code. This is more of a statement in law's clothing.

Fortunately their are consumer guides to help clients find a practitioner who knows what they are doing with regard to presenting issues.

As a statement, and a law, it stinks.

The ghosst of the issues the Kim Davis affair raised are haunting this one.

[fasttense]

5. Well put.

TN is sinking into the quagmire of ALEC legislation and will soon no longer be the volunteer state but the indentured servant state.

[angstlessk]

6. Well, based on that councilors should HAVE TO post who and what they support

before even getting the first dollar from someone they will 'refer'

[sofa king]

8. Oh, this can work for us, too.

...The same law should allow informed counselors to refer racists, bigots, and homophobes to conservative counselors, who will of course be less qualified because they are guided by stupid beliefs.

Even in an overburdened system, people of conscience can get the care they need because bigots are getting the care they deserve.

[Threebolo]

7. This is unconstitutional

Not going anywhere.