Culture & Conversation Religion
Texas Bill Authorizing Therapists to Refuse to Provide Services (SB 2096)
This law was last updated on Dec 7, 2017
This law is Anti–LGBTQ
Number
SB 2096
Status
Failed to Pass
Proposed
Mar 10, 2017
Sponsors
Primary Sponsors: 1
Total Sponsors: 1
Full Bill Text
SB 2096 would allow licensed professional counselors to refuse to provide psychological services to a person if providing the service would cause the license holder to violate a sincerely held religious belief.
A license holder who refuses to provide a psychological service to a person would be required to coordinate a referral of the person to a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, chemical dependency counselor, or social worker, as appropriate, who agrees to provide the counseling or therapy service.
The bill would protect the refusing license holder from facing any discriminatory action or administrative penalties. The state would be prohibited from penalizing or withholding benefits, including tax exemptions, governmental contracts, or grants, from a license holder based on the license holder’s refusal to provide services. The bill would prohibit a person from bringing a cause of action against a license holder for their refusal to provide such services.
Related Legislation
Companion bill to HB 3856.
Similar to SB 651, which would apply to all licensed occupations.
People
Primary Sponsor
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