Post by pavel on Feb 18, 2016 7:15:51 GMT -6
Bill allowing counselors to deny service based on religious belief gets OK in Tenn. Senate
NASHVILLE — The state Senate approved a controversial bill Wednesday that would give state-licensed counselors and therapists a right to deny services to a client if it conflicts with the "sincerely held religious belief of the counselor or therapist."
The House version of the bill is set for review in the health subcommittee Tuesday. No bill can become law without winning the approval of both legislative chambers.
The Senate debate indicated the bill is directed at professional counselors who don't want to serve gays and others whose lifestyles they don't approve of. Its wording says: "No counselor or therapist 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; provided that the counselor or therapist coordinates a referral of the client to another counselor or therapist who will provide the counseling or therapy."
It also says the refusal to provide counseling on the basis of the bill "shall not be the basis for a civil" lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/news/government/state/bill-allowing-counselors-to-deny-service-based-on-religious-belief-gets-ok-in-tenn-senate-2bfafae3-a-369125871.html
NASHVILLE — The state Senate approved a controversial bill Wednesday that would give state-licensed counselors and therapists a right to deny services to a client if it conflicts with the "sincerely held religious belief of the counselor or therapist."
The House version of the bill is set for review in the health subcommittee Tuesday. No bill can become law without winning the approval of both legislative chambers.
The Senate debate indicated the bill is directed at professional counselors who don't want to serve gays and others whose lifestyles they don't approve of. Its wording says: "No counselor or therapist 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; provided that the counselor or therapist coordinates a referral of the client to another counselor or therapist who will provide the counseling or therapy."
It also says the refusal to provide counseling on the basis of the bill "shall not be the basis for a civil" lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/news/government/state/bill-allowing-counselors-to-deny-service-based-on-religious-belief-gets-ok-in-tenn-senate-2bfafae3-a-369125871.html