A proposal to prohibit cities and counties from restricting the scope of practice for licensed behavioral health, psychology and social work providers will receive a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday in the Iowa Senate. The bill also blocks scope of practice restrictions on individuals who are exempt from licensing under current law.
That includes professors, students, government employees, clergy and nonprofit personnel.
The bill, Senate File 2037, will not limit zoning authority for cities and counties.
There have been efforts to censor counseling as it relates to gender identity and sexual orientation. Those bans prohibit counseling UNLESS the therapist affirms a child’s confusion as it relates to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Some Iowa cities and counties have adopted such bans despite concerns over their constitutionality.
In 2020, the 11th Circuit of Appeals ruled that therapist-client speech is protected First Amendment speech.
The bill is in subcommittee tomorrow. Republican Senators Jesse Green and Dennis Guth will serve on the subcommittee with Democrat Sen. Herman Quirmbach.
Feel free to contact the senators in support of the bill:
Sen. Green: [email protected]
Sen. Guth: [email protected]
Sen. Quirmbach: [email protected]
