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Gov. Haslam signs religious counseling bill into law

State of Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican governor says he has signed a bill that allows private mental health counselors to refuse to treat patients based on the therapist's religious or personal beliefs as long as an "appropriate referral" can be made to another counselor.

Supporters say the bill protects the rights of therapists and allows them to refer patients to more appropriate counselors.

Haslam says, "Lawyers can do that. Doctors can do that. Why would we take this one class of professionals and say you can't do that?"

Opponents say the legislation is part of a wave of bills around the nation that legalizes discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.

Haslam told The Associated Press that he signed the bill after talking to numerous counselors, including those who were in favor and those opposed.