DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 993 Original 2022 Regular Session Edmonds
Abstract: Provides the right of marriage and family therapists to decline counseling services that
violate their conscience.
Proposed law provides that a marriage and family therapist shall not be required to participate in any
counseling service that violates the therapist's conscience, religious belief, or moral conviction to
the extent that patient access to counseling services is not compromised.
Proposed law provides that a marriage and family therapist shall not be held civilly liable or
criminally prosecuted for declining any counseling service pursuant to proposed law.
Proposed law provides that a marriage and family therapist shall not be dismissed, demoted,
discriminated, or prejudiced again for declining any counseling service pursuant to proposed law.
Proposed law provides that a marriage and family therapist shall not have his license withheld,
denied, revoked, or suspended or disciplined for declining any counseling service pursuant to
proposed law.
Proposed law provides that a marriage and family therapist shall notify his employer in writing as
soon as practicable of any counseling service that violates his conscience.
Proposed law provides that the therapist shall any patient of any counseling service that the therapist
would decline to participate in pursuant to proposed law.
Proposed law provides that as soon as practicable after a patient requests counseling services that
the therapist would decline to participate in pursuant to proposed law, the therapist shall give written
notice of the therapist's declination.
Proposed law provides that proposed law does not prevent an employer or patient from inquiring
about a reason for the therapist's declination pursuant to proposed law.
Proposed law provides that any counseling facility that employs a therapists with known beliefs as
provided by proposed law shall ensure that the facility has sufficient staff to provide patient care in
the event an employee declines to participate in any counseling service pursuant to proposed law.
Proposed law provides for venue for civil actions brought pursuant to proposed law. Proposed law provides that a civil action may be brought in accordance with present law
Preservation of Religious Freedom Act or the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.
Proposed law defines "conscience" and "counseling service".
(Adds R.S. 37:1110.1)