Texas Senate Bill SB2096

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the regulation of the conduct of certain counseling professions.

Impact

This legislation is expected to have significant ramifications for state laws governing the counseling profession. It explicitly protects professionals from disciplinary action or civil lawsuits for refusing to provide services due to their religious beliefs. Additionally, public entities are prohibited from withholding benefits or penalizing counselors for such refusals. This enhances the legal framework surrounding the intersection of professional obligations and personal beliefs.

Summary

SB2096 proposes amendments to the Occupations Code regarding the conduct of licensed professionals in counseling and therapy fields, particularly emphasizing the right to refuse services based on sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill allows licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, chemical dependency counselors, and social workers the ability to deny providing services if doing so contravenes their religious convictions. Such professionals are required to coordinate a referral for clients to another qualified provider who is willing to render the necessary services.

Contention

There is potential for contention surrounding SB2096, particularly regarding the implications of denying services based on religious beliefs. Critics may argue that the bill could facilitate discrimination against certain populations seeking counseling and therapy services, undermining the access to care that is essential for vulnerable individuals. Proponents, on the other hand, may assert that the bill upholds constitutional rights related to religious freedom and prevents coercion of professionals into providing services that conflict with their deeply held beliefs.