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ID H0063
Bill
Status
2/15/2023
Primary Sponsor
Health and Welfare Committee
Click for details
AI Summary
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Professional counselors and marriage and family therapists in Idaho are not required to counsel clients regarding goals, outcomes, or behaviors that conflict with their sincerely held principles, provided they refer the client to another counselor or therapist.
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Refusal to provide counseling services under these circumstances cannot be the basis for civil action, criminal prosecution, or disciplinary action by the state board.
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The exemption does not apply when a client is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others until the counselor fulfills duty to warn obligations and transfers the patient to another provider.
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Actions lawful under this section that may violate counseling association codes of ethics cannot be grounds for board discipline of the counselor or therapist.
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The act takes effect on July 1, 2023.
Legislative Description
Adds to existing law to provide that no counselor or therapist will be required to counsel or serve a client regarding goals, outcomes, or behaviors that conflict with the sincerely held principles of the counselor or therapist.
COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS
Last Action
Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare
2/16/2023