Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive branch has been imposing diversity, equity, and inclusion training requirements for licensed counselors in Texas since December 2022.
Former Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi highlighted the requirements on social media platform X and questioned whether or not Abbott was even aware of their existence.
State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) responded to Rinaldi, speculating that the governor “definitely didn’t know.”
Rinaldi agreed, stating that “while I wish he was more proactive like DeSantis, he usually corrects this kind of stuff soon after learning about it.”
“I hope he does this time as well,” he concluded.
Rinaldi posted a link to the requirements, listed in a proposed rule from the Office of the Governor Regulatory Compliance Division. The rule proposed that licensed professional counselors be required to complete at least three hours of cultural diversity or competency.
The requirements are now reflected in rule §681.140 of the Texas Administrative Code.
Meanwhile, several lawmakers have already filed legislation to institute a statewide ban on DEI offices in government entities in a bid to end the ideology’s influence.
State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) and State Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Smithville) filed Senate Bill 689 and House Bill 1521, respectively. These measures aim to prohibit official DEI offices in government entities and would simultaneously block third-party contractors from administering similar services.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Gov. Abbott for comment but has not received a response as of the time of publication.
