Texas social workers can now refuse to work with LGBTQ and disabled clientsThe Texas State Board of

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle


ShaCamree Gowdy
Oct. 15, 2020
Updated: Oct. 15, 2020 12:53 p.m.

The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners will no longer prohibit social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The change comes after a recommendation from Governor Greg Abbott’s office, according to Edgar Walters with the Texas Tribune, on the basis that "the code [of conduct's] nondiscrimination protections went beyond protections laid out in the state law that governs how and when the state may discipline social workers."

Houston social worker Steven Parks, who works with child trauma victims, is one of many people who are against the change, calling it a professional and personal punch in the gut.

“There’s now a gray area between what’s legally allowed and ethically responsible,” he said, as reported by Walters. “The law should never allow a social worker to legally do unethical things.”

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texas-social-workers-can-now-refuse-to-work-with-15650111.php

[Laelth]

1. Sick, stupid, and a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

This ill-advised administrative rule will not last long, I hope.

-Laelth

[thucythucy]

2. Isn't this a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Or are they counting on their reactionary Supreme Court to overturn that as well?

[Catcar]

3. How low will they go in race to the bottom?

[hibbing]

4. How horrible n/t

[onecaliberal]

5. Soulless bastards

[Lisa0825]

6. Response from a friend who is a SW:

"We are working to change this. This was not done by the NASW but the new governing body Texas Department of Licensing and the Behavioral Health Executive Council (if I remember right). Governor Abbot isn’t budging on the issue so we are all mobilizing to fight this. This change is not consistent with the values and ethics of our profession and most social worker’s personal beliefs.

Unfortunately there is not a good way to collect data on Social workers since membership to the NASW is voluntary and licenses are restricted to States Governing board. It’s a mess. Consistent with 2020, everything is changing with our licensing requirements. In a Republican run state there have been many barriers for us just to practice. I promise, we are aware and working for change."

[Demonaut]

7. and they should extend that to the disabled because they are "different"

https://www.reformaustin.org/texas-legislature/empower-texans-make-fun-of-gov-abbott-being-disabled/


fuck, he, of all, should understand

[pfitz59]

8. Social Workers are Licensed professionals subject to malpractice laws

I see legal action in the future

[uppityperson]

9. Wtf

[Scalded Nun]

10. Abbott is a slime, pretty much in the mold of Rick Scott

While noting the irony of him pushing for this from a wheelchair, remember he is also the one who, after collecting millions in compensation from a car accident, put limits on damages payable to victims of accidents.

[marble falls]

12. Trust me. Abbott is a whole new level of scumery.

[marble falls]

11. Good and bad. I wouldn't want an advocate who hated what I was. I wouldn't have wanted that ...

hateful advocate hired to begin with.

[csziggy]

13. So an individual is allowed to turn away clients due to personal prejudices?

Why not just require that the biased social workers refer the client to another social worker who does not have irrational prejudices? Refusing assistance is ridiculous - that violates the clients' rights.

ACLU - here is your next case!

[stillcool]

14. if they can't deal with the public, then don't let them

go work for a church somewhere.