--- title: "Tennessee Gov. Signs Controversial Counseling Services Bill" id: "33151" type: "post" slug: "tennessee-gov-signs-controversial-counseling-services-bill" published_at: "2016-04-29T16:11:39+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T16:01:55+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/04/29/tennessee-gov-signs-controversial-counseling-services-bill/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/04/29/tennessee-gov-signs-controversial-counseling-services-bill.md" excerpt: "The governor put his signature to a controversial measure that opponents say will permit counseling professionals to discriminate against LGBT individuals and others." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "discrimination" - "LGBTQ" - "mental health" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Tennessee Gov. Signs Controversial Counseling Services Bill Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a law Wednesday that allows mental health counselors and therapists to refuse to treat clients based on their own “sincerely held principles.” Critics of the law, including the American Counseling Association and ASAE, say it could result in discrimination against LGBT individuals, although the counseling bill is vaguely worded to allow therapists to refuse to provide services for any reason, including someone’s race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Haslam said he signed the bill because it addressed his two concerns: It does not apply if an individual seeking counseling is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, and it requires counselors who feel they can’t see a client due to their personal beliefs to coordinate a referral to another counselor or therapist. Haslam said he does not believe the law is discriminatory against any one segment of society. [The American Counseling Association said the law is in direct violation of ACA’s code of ethics](http://associationsnow.com/2016/04/counseling-groups-partner-to-fight-bill-they-say-allows-for-discrimination/) and is an “unprecedented attack” on the counseling profession. The measure “not only disproportionately affects LGBTQ Tennesseans seeking counseling, but will also have unintended consequences that will reach Tennesseans in all walks of life—whether it’s a veteran suffering from PTSD, a woman suffering from spousal abuse, or a business owner simply trying to attract out-of-state clients,” [ACA spokesman Art Terrazas told The Tennessean (opens in a new tab)](http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/27/haslam-signs-controversial-bill-giving-therapists-protections/83509448/) . [ASAE also characterized the bill as discriminatory](http://associationsnow.com/2016/04/asae-urges-veto-tennessee-bill-allowing-denial-counseling-services/) and said it could damage the state’s image as a welcoming destination for businesses, meetings and conventions, and tourism. [In a April 13 letter to Haslam (opens in a new tab)](http://www.thepowerofa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ASAE-Letter-4.13.16.pdf) , ASAE said it “stands strongly in support of diversity and inclusion practices, not only within the association sector, but in the various municipalities and states in which associations operate. We are deeply opposed to any laws that permit or even give the appearance of tolerating discrimination.” (iStock/Thinkstock) [Chris Vest, CAE](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/) Chris Vest, CAE, is director of public policy at ASAE. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#discrimination](https://associationsnow.com/tag/discrimination/) [#LGBTQ](https://associationsnow.com/tag/lgbtq/) [#mental health](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mental-health/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoInvesting in Well-being: The Strategic Advantage of Mental Health Support in the WorkplaceJune 23, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/06/23/investing-in-well-being-the-strategic-advantage-of-mental-health-support-in-the-workplace/) - [Video2018 Power of A Award WinnerOctober 3, 2018](https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/03/2018-power-of-a-award-winner/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F04%2F29%2Ftennessee-gov-signs-controversial-counseling-services-bill%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !