Signed by Governor Bill Haslam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a counselor or therapist to decline to provide services based on his or her "sincerely held principles."

Highlights:

• Authorizes a counselor or therapist to decline to provide counseling or therapy services based on his or her “sincerely held principles” (Sec. 1).

• Requires a therapist or counselor who declines to provide services to an individual based on “sincerely held principles” to refer the individual to another counselor or therapist who will provide services (Sec. 1).

• Requires a therapist or counselor to provide services to an individual regardless of a violation of his or her “sincerely held principles” if the individual is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the state from prosecuting, or otherwise penalizing, a counselor or therapist for refusing to provide counseling or therapy services under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a counselor or therapist to decline to provide services based on his or her religious beliefs.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a counselor or therapist to decline to provide counseling or therapy services based on his or her religious beliefs (Sec. 1).

• Requires a therapist or counselor who declines to provide services to an individual based on religious beliefs to refer the individual to another counselor or therapist who will provide services (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the state from prosecuting, or otherwise penalizing, a counselor or therapist for refusing to provide counseling or therapy services under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text