New TX Rule Lets Social Workers Reject LGBTQ Clients

The Texas Tribune reports:

Texas social workers are criticizing a state regulatory board’s decision this week to remove protections for LGBTQ clients and clients with disabilities who seek social work services.

The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously Monday to change a section of its code of conduct that establishes when a social worker may refuse to serve someone. The code will no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s office recommended the change, board members said, because the code’s nondiscrimination protections went beyond protections laid out in the state law that governs how and when the state may discipline social workers.

The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners’ code of conduct will no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. https://t.co/JqxodOOJMY

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 14, 2020