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New Texas rule that allows social workers to turn away 'vulnerable' LGBTQ or disabled clients sparks outrage, calls for reversal

October 20, 2020

The Texas State Board of Social Workers last week voted unanimously to remove disability, sexual orientation and gender identity from the nondiscrimination clause of its code of conduct.

This week, there's backlash.

Texas advocacy groups and lawmakers are demanding that health officials reverse their decision, which was based solely on a recommendation of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, and criticizing the board for proceeding without seeking input from social workers.

"They didn't question it, and that is particularly disheartening," Will Francis, director of the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, told USA TODAY.

He added, "The board did not stand up for vulnerable Texans."

On Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Rep Sylvia Garcia and 10 other members of Congress wrote a letter calling on the governor's office, the board and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council to reverse its decision.

"In the middle of a life-threatening, unprecedented pandemic, no one should be denied services for who they are," Garcia said on Twitter.

She added, "This rule change was rushed without input from professional social workers. I hope the Governor and the Board will recognize the terrible repercussions this will have on the safety and well-being of some Texans in the state and will reverse this decision immediately."

Seven groups, led by Equality Texas, the state's largest LGBTQ rights, released a statement last week denouncing the decision.

The governor's office said the board made the change to align its rules with the state's Occupations Code, which determines how and when the state can discipline social workers.

"It's not surprising that a board would align its rules with statutes passed by the Legislature," said Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott's office.

Gloria Canseco, presiding officer of the Behavioral Health Council, said topics related to gender and gender identity would be revisited during a council meeting this month. She did not indicate whether the decision to remove protections for people with disabilities would be revisited.