Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Statement on the Social Workers’ Code of Conduct

For Immediate Release Contact: Chesley Hinds
October 15, 2020 Office: 512-463-0613
Chesley.Hinds@House.Texas.gov

(TEXAS) — This week, the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners amended its code of conduct so that social workers are no longer prohibited from refusing their services on the basis of “disability” “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” in response to a request from the Governor’s office.

The Texas House LGBTQ Caucus issued the following statement: “This decision is unconscionable and discriminatory against protected classes. It is incumbent upon the board to set the highest standard for ethical conduct and not roll back well established nondiscrimination protections. Individuals with disabilities and or in the LGBTQ community already face barriers to accessing health care, and as the need for mental health services increases during this pandemic, state leadership should not be taking action to restrict access, but rather increase it.”

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10/15/20: Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Statement on the Social Workers’ Code of Conduct