In the state of Tennessee, a controversial piece of legislation known as Senate bill 1556 was recently signed into law. This bill allows counselors and therapists within the state to choose whether or not they accept clients whose situations may contradict their beliefs, goals, or values.
However, the governor has said that the counselor or therapist must legally refer individuals elsewhere to someone who can assist them without having these contradictions. Also, a counselor or therapist cannot refuse service if an individual appears to be in a dangerous situation where they may potentially harm themselves or others.
There has been quite a bit of controversy regarding this legislation. For example, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation decided to move the location of its “Time to THRIVE” conference from Nashville to another city because of the passing of the bill.
Dr. Vincent Pompei, Conference Chair and Director of HRC Foundation’s Youth Well-Being Project, remarked why the conference was moved in a news release, saying:
When Tennessee legislators pushed a needless and mean-spirited counseling discrimination law, we knew that Time to THRIVE, which brings together professionals dedicated to the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ youth, could not be held as planned in Nashville.
Undoubtedly, the new legislation will come under dispute and lawsuits will be filed to determine if Tennessee bill 1556 is unconstitutional. Stay tuned as the Volunteer’s state’s legal experts weigh in on the issue.