Counseling bill passes Tennessee House


              Reps. Tim Wirgau, R-Buchanan, left, and John Forgety, R-Athens, confer on the House floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, during a debate about a bill to allow counselors to refuse treatment of patients based on personal beliefs. Those opposed to the bill, say the measure casts such a wide net that therapists could virtually turn anyone away. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
Reps. Tim Wirgau, R-Buchanan, left, and John Forgety, R-Athens, confer on the House floor in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, during a debate about a bill to allow counselors to refuse treatment of patients based on personal beliefs. Those opposed to the bill, say the measure casts such a wide net that therapists could virtually turn anyone away. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A bill that would allow counselors to turn away patients based on sincerely held personal beliefs has passed in the House in Tennessee and is close to getting to the governor. The Senate, which already passed the measure, still has to approve an amendment adopted by the House.

The bill passed 68 to 22 following a rancorous debate on the House floor.

Opponents of the measure say it would allow therapists to discriminate against gays and other people who are vulnerable and need therapy. Proponents say it takes into account the rights of everyone, including the therapists.

The American Counseling Association has condemned the measure.

The bill is part of a wave of proposals across the country that would allow people to deny services to gays based on religious beliefs.

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