Bill to protect Idaho counselors’ right to deny clients for religious beliefs passes senate

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate gave a green light to Senate Bill 1352 (S1352) after a lengthy debate sided with vocal members of the majority party seeking protections for counselors and therapists to exercise their deeply held religious beliefs.

S1352 grants mental health professionals the ability to deny a client who wants “outcomes or behaviors that conflict with the sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical principles of the counselor or therapist.”

A counselor cannot be held civilly or criminally liable for exercising this right if it were to become law. Rejecting a client for religious reasons could not be a reason for losing a license to practice, the bill adds.

“No Idahoan should be required to check their moral or ethical principals at the door of their profession,” bill sponsor Sen. Carl Bjerke (R – Coeur d’Alene) said “That’s what this is about.”

Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) opposed the legislation. She argued the profession is already guided by a comprehensive code of ethics; this bill does not fully align with that code of ethics message.

“They deal with talking to the professionals about how you can find balance with your own values, as well as your clients,” Wintrow said. “Under this bill, it is basically allowing a counselor to get off the hook if they violate their ethics.”

Sen. James Ruchti (D-Boise) further found fault in the bill sponsor’s logic; Bjerke argued this legislation would help a hypothetical counselor who does not want to help a client justify his desire to cheat on his wife.

“I just don’t think that’s the way counseling works. But I’m not a counselor, so maybe I’m wrong. But this is about people gay people,” Ruchti said. “That’s what we’re really talking about.”

Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke warned Ruchti to preface his comments with that of his personal opinion; otherwise, Ruchti is Impugning motives.

“[The code of ethics] is not who sets the policy for licensure in the state of Idaho. We set the policy,” Sen. Kelly Anthon said.

The bill passed the Senate floor by a final 23-11 vote. It now moves to the House for further consideration.

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