Lawmakers Deny Retaliation Doctor’s Supporters Believe Bill Is Punishment For Work On Case

Two eastern Idaho legislators deny trying to punish a Department of Health and Welfare psychologist because they do not like the way she is handling a child abuse case.

Friends and colleagues of Idaho Falls-based Dr. Sharon Geant cite a bill from Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, and legislative intent attached by Sen. Stan Hawkins, R-Ucon, to an appropriations bill.

They allege both moves were aimed at retaliating against Geant because of her actions in a controversial Health and Welfare case.

On Tuesday, the House rejected Loertscher’s bill that would have required all state psychologists to be licensed clinical psychologists.

Geant is a doctor of psychology but is not a licensed clinical psychologist. She is one of dozens of psychologists who work as counselors for Health and Welfare and other state agencies that would have been affected if the bill had passed.

“This is an honest attempt on my part to see that we’re not practicing a double standard,” Loertscher said.

Meanwhile, Hawkins approached the issue from a different angle Wednesday in the budget-writing Joint Finance Appropriations Committee.

He got the panel to recommend that the Court Appointed Special Advocates program not have anyone serving on its boards who is handling child abuse and neglect cases through Health and Welfare, the courts or law enforcement.

Geant serves on a regional board for the program that trains volunteers to represent the interests of children involved in court cases.