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What is a State Attorney General?

While the specific responsibilities of an attorney general can vary by state, they generally include but are not limited to:

  • Representing the state in state and federal courts.
  • Proposing legislation.
  • Offering guidance around complying with state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Advocating for the public interest.

Attorney generals are publicly elected in the vast majority of states. As of March 2026, there are 27 Republican attorneys general, 22 Democrat attorneys general and three (3) Nonpartisan attorney generals (Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and Hawaii).  

How Can Attorney Generals Help Me and/or My Clients?

Counselors can reach out to their attorney general for support and guidance navigating executive orders, state and federal laws and regulations. For example, counselors may want to seek guidance on how to comply with state and federal laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, or they may have questions about how to handle situations where they believe a client's rights have been violated.

Counselors can also contact their attorney general and advocate for them to prioritize enforcement of particular issues, such as mental health parity violations or the impact of social media on mental health.

Contacting Your State Attorney General Regarding LGBTQ+ Laws

Licensed Professional Counselors may consider reaching out to their attorney general for guidance on working with the LGBTQ+ community if they have questions or concerns about legal issues related to their practice. For example, counselors may want to seek guidance on how to comply with state and federal laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, or they may have questions about how to handle situations where they believe a client's rights have been violated.

Additionally, counselors may need to seek guidance from attorneys general if they face legal challenges related to their work with LGBTQ+ clients, such as needing legal support if they are sued by a client or face disciplinary action from a licensing board.

The specific circumstances under which a counselor should reach out to their attorney general will vary depending on the state where they practice and the specific legal issues they are facing. As such, it may be helpful for mental health counselors to consult with their professional organizations and legal advisors to determine when it's appropriate to seek guidance from the attorney general.

How Do I Contact My Attorney General?

Contact information for  is usually available on the state's official website. Below are some general steps you can follow:

  1. Go to your state's official website. (Search "[State Name] official website" in your preferred browser.)
  2. Look for the section on the website that pertains to the attorney general's office. This can usually be found under the "Government" or "Legal" section of the website.
  3. Find the contact information for the attorney general's office. This may include a phone number, email address or mailing address.
  4. Contact the attorney general's office using the contact information provided. It's a good idea to be prepared with a clear and concise explanation of your questions or concerns so that you can make the most of your contact with the office.
Note: Some states may have a hotline or online form specifically for reporting consumer complaints or concerns related to mental health care. You can often find this information on the attorney general's website or by doing a quick internet search for "[State Name] attorney general consumer complaint."

State Resources & Advocacy Organizations

For additional guidance/help on LGBTQ+ issues, please contact the experts in your state.

  • ´¡°ä³¢±«: 
  • Lambda Legal: 
  • Trevor Project: 
  • ³§´¡±õ³Ò·¡: 
  • ³§´¡³Ò·¡: 
  • U.S. Department of State: 
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Guidance on Protecting Privacy
  • HHS HIPAA Privacy Rule and Disclosures of Information Relating to Reproductive Health Care: 
  • HHS Protecting the Privacy and Security of Your Health Information When Using Your Personal Cell Phone or Tablet: 
  • File a Complaint: If you believe that a HIPAA-covered entity or its business associate violated your (or someone else’s) health information privacy rights or committed another violation of the Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules, you may file a complaint at 

Contact Our Advocacy Team

  advocacy@counseling.org