Tennessee law to protect counselors who refuse clients based on religious beliefs
Gov. Bill Haslam has signed into law a new bill that protects counselors who choose to refuse clients because of religious convictions.
Under Senate Bill 1556, "no person providing counseling or therapy services shall be required to counsel or serve a client as to goals, outcomes, or behaviors that conflict with a sincerely held religious belief of the counselor or therapist."
Haslam said he had one concern regarding the bill: that people who need care will not receive it. However, two provisions in the bill address this concern. First, counselors and therapists are mandated to provide referrals. Second, the bill will not apply if the case involves an individual who poses threat to himself or herself and to others.
The American Counseling Association expressed opposition to the bill, saying it legalizes discrimination against the LGBT community.
"We are extremely disappointed that Governor Haslam has ignored the lessons learned in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi and has elected to sign this dangerous bill into law," ACA director of government relations Art Terrazas said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
North Carolina passed a law in March that requires transgenders to use the bathroom according to the gender specified on their birth certificate, sparking an outcry from the LGBT community. On the other hand, Mississippi passed a law last month allowing businesses to refuse services to gay clients if their religious convictions dictated it.
The Republican governor defended the bill, saying it "doesn't address a group, issue or belief system" but gives individuals the freedom to not violate their religious beliefs without having to worry about lawsuits or legal discrimination.
Haslam said counselors and therapists should be allowed to decide for themselves if a client "would be better served by another counselor" according to the client's needs.
Bill sponsor Sen. Jack Johnson agrees, saying the new legislation is not discriminatory. He said it will help counselors prevent losing their license when they choose not to accommodate clients because of their faith.
