Republicans Block Ban on Conversion Therapy in Wisconsin
advocate.comFor the second time in as many years, Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature have blocked a rule that would have banned the harmful practice of so-called conversion therapy in the state, saying the board issuing the rule had overstepped its authority.The Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board, which creates the code of ethics for certificate holders and licensees in Wisconsin, issued a rule in 2020 banning conversion therapy, but, as reported by the Wisconsin Examiner, the rule was subsequently blocked by Republicans in the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules.
It went back into effect last year on December 1 when a bill dealing with the issue was not formally passed during the legislative session.
On Thursday, the committee voted 6-4 along party lines to again block the rule.The Republican chair of the rules committee, Rep.
Adam Neylon of Pewaukee, steered clear of supporting conversion therapy, instead saying the board had usurped the authority of the legislative branch.
