After backlash from lawmakers and advocates, a state board voted Tuesday to undo a rule change that would have allowed social workers to turn away clients who are LGBTQ or have a disability.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously to restore protections for LGBTQ and disabled clients to Texas social workersโ code of conduct just two weeks after removing them.
The governorโs office recommended removing language that prohibited social workers from turning away clients on the basis of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
That set off an immediate firestorm of criticism from social workers, LGBTQ advocates and advocates for people with disabilities.
โThis is a recognition of the key principle that a social workerโs personal beliefs must never impede a personโs right to self-determination or access to services.โ