Bill > HB1840

This bill, amending Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Title 63, Chapter 22, establishes that counselors and therapists are not obligated to provide counseling or therapy services that contradict their deeply held religious beliefs regarding a client's goals, outcomes, or behaviors. However, this protection is contingent on the counselor or therapist arranging for the client to be referred to another professional who can provide the necessary services. The bill further specifies that refusing to provide services under these religious grounds cannot be grounds for a civil lawsuit, criminal charges, or any state or local government action to penalize the provider or deny them benefits like tax exemptions, contracts, grants, or licenses. The bill defines "counseling or therapy services" broadly to include any assistance aimed at facilitating human growth and development across various aspects of life, regardless of whether the provider is licensed by the state.