Written by Don Byrd
Earlier this week, the Michigan House passed a bill that would prohibit public universities from taking disciplinary action against counseling and other students who object to serving clients in a way that conflicts with religious beliefs. The legislation is in response to the case of Julea Ward, who was dismissed from Eastern Michigan University’s counseling program for refusing to counsel a gay student.
Jeremy Tedesco, a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund,disputes EMU’s claims the bill could cause the university to lose its accreditation. He told AnnArbor.com the ACA code of ethics allows for counselor’s to make referrals, as Ward did during her practicum — an argument the ACA’s Chief Professional Officer David Kaplan contradicted in written court testimony.
The legislation passed 55-50 and is headed to the State Senate.
