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Conversion therapy in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A majority of the United States population live in jurisdictions that have banned conversion therapy—a family of widely debunked and abusive medical, spiritual and psychological practices that falsely claim to be able to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression[1][2][3][4]—on minors.[5]
Murray in 2016
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Malloy in 2017
Mayor Ed Murray and Governor Dannel Malloy signing legislation, banning the practice of conversion therapy on minor clients in Seattle and Connecticut, respectively.
27 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and more than 100 municipalities have instituted bans on conversion therapy and its governmental funding, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. The District of Columbia is the only U.S. jurisdiction whose ban also applies to adults. Three states ban the use of state and federal funds for conversion therapy on minors.
Surveys held in 2014 and 2020 found that a majority of Americans supported bans on conversion therapy for minors, and do not believe the practice was effective.[6][7] A 2023 report by The Trevor Project found that there are over 1,300 active conversion therapists still operating in 48 U.S. states, with over 600 of these practitioners holding active professional licenses.[8]
Conversion therapy bans involving talk therapy began to face legal challenges in the 2020s, under allegations that it constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment. In 2020, the Eleventh Circuit overturned conversion therapy bans in Florida, under the argument that upholding the bill could theoretically allow gender-affirming therapy to also be prohibited by jurisdictions in a similar fashion. In 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Chiles v. Salazar that a ruling on Colorado's conversion therapy ban as applied to a plaintiff needed to be reviewed under strict scrutiny, as it considered regulation of talk therapy to be viewpoint discrimination.
Historical laws
Ban on conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (Washington, D.C. also bans such therapy for adults.)
Ban on use of state or federal funds for conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
State law prohibits local governments from banning conversion therapy
Federal court has ruled that banning conversion therapy is unconstitutional; Dark red spots indicate cities/counties that had pre-existing bans
Ban only applies to state and federal funding of conversion therapy on minors.
| State | Date of enactment | Date effective | Ban method | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.[9] |  New Jersey |
August 19, 2013 | August 19, 2013 | Legislative statute | On June 24, 2013, the New Jersey Assembly voted 56–14 in favor of AB 3371.[10] On June 27, 2013, the New Jersey State Senate voted 28–9 to pass the bill.[11] On August 19, 2013, Governor Chris Christie (R) signed the legislation into law, and it took effect the same day.[12] |
| 2.[13] |  California |
September 30, 2012 | August 29, 2013 | Legislative statute | On May 30, 2012, the California State Senate voted 23–13 in favor of SB-1172.[14][15] The California State Assembly voted 52–22 in favor of the bill on August 28, 2012.[16] On September 30, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed it into law, and it was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2013.[17] On December 21, 2012, in the case of Welch v. Brown, Judge William B. Shubb granted a preliminary injunction to SB-1172 from going into effect.[18] On August 29, 2013, in the case of Pickup v. Brown and Welch v. Brown, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld SB-1172 and reversed the lower court order granting a preliminary injunction.[19] On May 1, 2017, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal of the case.[20] |
| 3.[21] |  Oregon |
May 18, 2015 | May 18, 2015 | Legislative statute | On March 17, 2015, the Oregon House of Representatives voted 41–18 in favor of HB 2307, and the Oregon State Senate voted 21–8 in favor of the bill on May 7, 2015. On May 18, 2015, Governor Kate Brown (D) signed the bill into law and it went into effect the same day.[22][23] |
| 4.[24] |  Illinois |
August 20, 2015 | January 1, 2016 | Legislative statute | On May 19, 2015, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 68–43 in favor of HB 217.[25] The bill passed the Illinois State Senate on May 29, 2015, by 34 votes to 19.[26] On August 20, 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner (R) signed the legislation, and it went into effect on January 1, 2016.[27] |
| 5.[28] |  Vermont |
May 25, 2016 | July 1, 2016 | Legislative statute | On March 17, 2016, the Vermont Senate unanimously approved S.132.[29][30] On April 26, the Vermont House of Representatives approved it with amendments. The Senate concurred with the amendments on April 29.[31] Governor Peter Shumlin (D) signed the bill on May 25. It went into effect on July 1.[32] |
| 6.[33] |  New Mexico |
April 7, 2017 | April 7, 2017 | Legislative statute | The state Senate approved SB 121 on February 16, 2017, by a 32–6 vote, and the state House of Representatives concurred on March 15, 2017, by a 44–23 vote. The bill was signed by Governor Susana Martinez (R) on April 7, 2017.[34][35] The law went into effect immediately. |
| 7.[36] |  Connecticut |
May 10, 2017 | May 10, 2017 | Legislative statute | The state House of Representatives approved HB 6695 on May 2, 2017, by a 141–8 vote, and the Senate concurred on May 10, 2017, by a 36–0 vote. The bill was signed by Governor Dannel Malloy (D) the same day and took effect immediately.[37] |
| 8.[38] |  Rhode Island |
July 19, 2017 | July 19, 2017 | Legislative statute | H 5277 was passed by the state House 69–0 on May 30, 2017.[39][40][41] The Senate approved the bill 29–0 on June 30. It was signed by Governor Gina Raimondo (D) on July 19, 2017, and took effect immediately.[42] |
| 9.[43] |  Nevada |
May 17, 2017 | January 1, 2018 | Legislative statute | SB 201 was passed by the state Senate 15–5 on April 4, 2017, and by the Assembly 31–8 on May 9.[44][45][46] The Senate concurred with the House's amendments on the same day. The bill was signed by Governor Brian Sandoval (R) on May 17, 2017,[47][48] and went into effect on January 1, 2018. |
| 10.[49] |  Washington |
March 28, 2018 | June 7, 2018 | Legislative statute | SB 5722 passed the state Senate 32–16 on January 19, 2018, and the state House 66–32 on February 28.[50] After the Senate concurred with the amended House version on March 3, it was signed by Governor Jay Inslee (D) on March 28, 2018.[51][52] It took effect on June 7, 2018. |
| 11.[53] |  Hawaii |
May 25, 2018 | July 1, 2018 | Legislative statute | SB 270 passed the state Senate on March 6, 2018, by a vote of 24–1, and passed the state House of Representatives on April 10, 2018, by a vote of 49–2. A conference committee of both chambers concluded on April 27, 2018, with an amended bill. It was approved by both chambers on May 1, and was signed by Governor David Ige (D) on May 25, 2018. The law took effect on July 1, 2018.[54][55] |
| 12.[56] |  Delaware |
July 23, 2018 | July 23, 2018 | Legislative statute | SB 65 passed the state Senate by a vote of 12–3 on May 17, 2017, and the state House on June 7, 2018, by a vote of 24–14.[57] The bill was signed by Governor John Carney (D) on July 23, 2018, and took effect immediately.[58] |
| 13.[59] |  Maryland |
May 15, 2018 | October 1, 2018 | Legislative statute | SB 1028 passed the state Senate on March 27, 2018, by a vote of 34–12, and the state House on April 4, 2018, by a vote of 95–27.[60][61] The bill was signed by Governor Larry Hogan (R) on May 15, 2018, and went into effect on October 1, 2018.[62][63] |
| 14.[64] |  New Hampshire |
June 8, 2018 | January 1, 2019 | Legislative statute | HB 587 passed the state House on February 8, 2018, by a vote of 179–171, and the state Senate on April 19, 2018, by a vote of 14–10, with an amendment.[65][66] The House accepted the Senate's amendment on May 10, 2018.[67] It was signed by Governor Chris Sununu (R) on June 8, 2018, and took effect on January 1, 2019.[68] |
| 15.[69] |  New York |
January 25, 2019 | January 25, 2019 | Legislative statute | A576 passed the state Assembly on January 15, 2019, by a vote of 134–3, and passed the state Senate that same day by a vote of 57–4.[70][71] The bill was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on January 25, 2019, and took effect immediately upon receiving his signature. Since 2016, conversion therapy has been banned in New York from coverage by insurers and Medicaid, or from being practiced by any state-licensed or operated mental health facility per executive order.[72] |
| 16.[73] |  Massachusetts |
April 8, 2019 | April 8, 2019 | Legislative statute | H140 was passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by a vote of 147–8 on March 13, 2019, and in the state Senate by a vote of 34–0 on March 28, 2019. Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed the legislation into law on April 8, 2019. The law prohibits licensed health care providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors within the state.[74] |
| 17.[75] |  Colorado |
May 31, 2019 | August 2, 2019 | Legislative statute | On February 19, 2019, the Colorado House of Representatives passed HB19-1129,[76] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 42–20. It was approved by the state Senate with amendments by a vote of 21–13 on March 25, 2019. The House concurred with the amendments on April 5, 2019. The bill was signed by Governor Jared Polis (D) on May 31, and took effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session.[77][78]
The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled against this law with an 8-1 ratio on March 31, 2026, saying lower courts had "erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous scrutiny" to restrictions on free speech.[79] |
| 18.[80] |  Maine |
May 29, 2019 | September 17, 2019 | Legislative statute | On May 8, 2019, the Maine House of Representatives passed LD 1025,[81] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 91–46. It later passed in the Maine Senate on May 21, 2019, by a vote of 25–9. Governor Janet Mills (D) signed the legislation into law on May 29, 2019. The law prohibits licensed health care providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors within the state, and took effect 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session.[82] A bill that previously passed the Maine Legislature in June 2018 was vetoed by former Governor Paul LePage the following month and failed to survive a veto override attempt.[83] |
| 19.[84] |  North Carolina |
August 2, 2019 | August 2, 2019 | Executive order | On August 2, 2019, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) signed an executive order banning any state funding of conversion therapy on minors.[85][86][87] |
| 20.[88] |  Utah |
January 21, 2020 | January 21, 2020 | Executive order and legislative statute | After a bill to ban conversion therapy on minors failed to pass the Utah Senate, Governor Gary Herbert (R) signed an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy on minors by regulation on January 21, 2020.[89] In February 2023, a bill formally passed both houses of the Utah Legislature to "codify" the ban on conversion therapy on LGBT minors into legislation. The Governor of Utah signed the bill into law - effective immediately, a month later in March 2023.[90][91] |
| 21.[92] |  Virginia |
March 2, 2020 | July 1, 2020 | Legislative statute | On February 3, 2020, the House of Delegates passed HB 386,[93] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 66–27.[94] It was approved by the state Senate on February 17, in a vote of 22–18. Governor Ralph Northam (D) signed the legislation into law on March 2, 2020, and it took effect on July 1, 2020.[95]
In June 2025, Attorney General Jason Miyares entered into a consent decree to not enforce the ban on talk conversion therapy.[96][97] |
| 22.[98] |  Wisconsin |
June 1, 2021 | June 1, 2021 | Executive order | On June 1, 2021, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) signed an executive order disallowing state and federal funds to be allocated by the Department of Health Services, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Corrections to conversion therapy.[99][100][101] Earlier that year, lawmakers in the Wisconsin Legislature had moved to protect the practice.[102] |
| 23.[103] |  Michigan |
June 14, 2021 | June 14, 2021 | Executive order and legislative statute | On June 14, 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state or federal funds for conversion therapy on minors.[104][105][106] On June 28, 2023, the Michigan legislature sent a bill to ban the use of conversion therapy on minors to Governor Whitmer.[107] Whitmer signed the bill on July 26, 2023.[108] |
| 24.[109] |  North Dakota |
July 8, 2021 | July 8, 2021 | Regulatory Action | The members of the Administrative Rules Committee voted 8–7 on Tuesday, June 8, to authorize the prohibition proposed by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, which oversees licensing for social workers in the state.[110] |
| 25.[111] |  Minnesota |
July 15, 2021 | July 15, 2021 | Executive order and legislative statute | Following a legislative attempt at a ban being stripped from the budget bill, Governor Tim Walz (D) signed an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy on minors by regulation on July 19, 2021.[112] In April 2023, the Minnesota Legislature formally passed a bill to codify and implement to legally ban conversion therapy practices on minors and vulnerable adults, and it was signed into law on April 27, 2023. The law will go into effect on August 1.[113][114] |
| 26. |  Pennsylvania |
August 16, 2022 | August 16, 2022 | Executive order | On August 16, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors.[115] In May 2024, five licensing boards agreed to resolutions barring the use of conversion therapy.[116] |
| 27. |  Arizona |
June 27, 2023 | June 27, 2023 | Executive order | On June 27, 2023, Governor Katie Hobbs (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors.[117] |
Territories
| Territory | Date of enactment | Date effective | Ban method | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.[118] |  District of Columbia |
December 22, 2014 | March 11, 2015 | Legislative statute | On December 2, 2014, the Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously (12 ayes) in favor of B20-0501. On December 22, 2014, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) signed the legislation into law. The act passed congressional review and took effect on March 11, 2015.
On January 16, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) signed B22-0972, a bill approved unanimously by the City Council extending the ban to adults who are under the care of a conservator or guardian.[119] The law went into effect on March 13, 2019.[120][121] |
| 2.[122] |  Puerto Rico |
March 27, 2019 | March 27, 2019 | Executive order | On March 27, 2019, Governor Ricardo Rosselló (PNP) issued an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy of minors, taking effect immediately.[123] Territorial agencies were provided 90 days for promulgation of the new order. |
Counties, municipalities and communities
Vote pending
| County, municipality or community | Date of enactment | Date effective | Ban method | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.[125] | Cincinnati, Ohio | December 9, 2015 | January 9, 2016 | Ordinance | On December 9, 2015, the Cincinnati City Council voted 7–2 in favor of Ordinance 373 and it went into effect on January 9, 2016.[126] |
| 2.[127] | Miami Beach, Florida | June 8, 2016 | June 18, 2016 | Ordinance | On June 8, 2016, Miami Beach voted to ban conversion therapy. The ban was sponsored by Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemàn and was unanimously approved by the City Commission.[128][129] The ban took effect on June 18. |
| 3.[130] | Wilton Manors, Florida | September 13, 2016 | September 13, 2016 | Ordinance | On September 13, 2016, the City Commission of Wilton Manors unanimously approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ban took effect that same day.[131] |
| 4.[132] | Seattle, Washington | August 1, 2016 | October 2, 2016 | Ordinance | On August 1, 2016, the Seattle City Council voted to ban conversion therapy on minors.[133][134] The ban was sponsored by councilmember Lorena González and was unanimously approved by all other eight city councilmembers. Mayor Ed Murray signed the ordinance on August 3 and it took effect on October 2. |
| 5.[135] | Miami, Florida | October 13, 2016 | October 13, 2016 | Ordinance | On October 13, 2016, the Miami City Commission voted 3–2 in favor of banning the use of conversion therapy on minors.[136][137] The ban was sponsored by Commissioner Francis Suarez, and took effect that same day that it was ratified. |
| 6.[138] | West Palm Beach, Florida | November 7, 2016 | November 7, 2016 | Ordinance | On November 7, 2016, the City Commission of West Palm Beach unanimously approved an ordinance in its second reading banning conversion therapy. The ban took effect upon adoption.[139] |
| 7.[140] | Bay Harbor Islands, Florida | November 14, 2016 | November 14, 2016 | Ordinance | On November 14, 2016, the Bay Harbor Islands Town Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ordinance came into effect that same day.[140] |
| 8.[141] | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | December 13, 2016 | December 20, 2016 | Ordinance | The Pittsburgh City Council voted in favor of an ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy on minors, by a vote of 9–0, on December 13, 2016. The ordinance went into effect on December 20, following Mayor Bill Peduto's signature.[142] |
| 9.[143] | Boynton Beach, Florida | January 17, 2017 | January 17, 2017 | Ordinance | On January 3, 2017, an ordinance banning conversion therapy in Boynton Beach passed its first reading.[144] The ordinance passed its second reading on January 17 and went into effect immediately.[143] |
| 10.[145] | Lake Worth, Florida | January 10, 2017 | January 20, 2017 | Ordinance | On December 13, 2016, the Lake Worth City Commission unanimously passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors, in its first reading.[146] The ordinance passed its second reading, in a 5–0 vote, on January 10, 2017, and went into effect on January 20. |
| 11.[147] | El Portal, Florida | January 24, 2017 | January 24, 2017 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy passed its first reading in the El Portal Village Council in October 2016. The ordinance passed its second reading on January 24 and went into effect that same day.[147] |
| 12.[148] | Toledo, Ohio | February 7, 2017 | February 7, 2017 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy was unanimously (12–0) approved by the Toledo City Council on February 7, 2017.[149] |
| 13.[150] | Key West, Florida | March 7, 2017 | March 7, 2017 | Ordinance | On February 8, 2017, the Key West City Commission approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its first reading. The ordinance passed its second reading on March 7 and took effect immediately. |
| 14.[151] | North Bay Village, Florida | March 14, 2017 | March 14, 2017 | Ordinance | On March 14, 2017, the Commission of North Bay Village voted to ban conversion therapy. The ban took effect immediately upon adoption.[151] |
| 15.[152] | Columbus, Ohio | March 27, 2017 | March 27, 2017 | Ordinance | On March 13, the City Council of Columbus approved an ordinance, banning the use of conversion therapy on minors, in its first reading. The ordinance was introduced by Council President Zach Klein. It unanimously passed its second reading on March 27 and took effect immediately.[153][154] |
| 16.[155] | Tampa, Florida | April 6, 2017 | April 6, 2017 | Ordinance | On April 6, the Tampa City Council unanimously approved a conversion therapy ban. The ban went into effect immediately.[156] This ordinance was struck down by a federal court in October 2019.[157] |
| 17.[158] | Delray Beach, Florida | May 2, 2017 | May 2, 2017 | Ordinance | On April 18, 2017, the Delray Beach City Commission approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its first reading.[159] The ordinance unanimously passed its second reading in the City Commission on May 2.[160] The ban took effect immediately. |
| 18.[161] | Riviera Beach, Florida | May 4, 2017 | May 4, 2017 | Ordinance | The Riviera Beach City Council unanimously approved a conversion therapy ban on May 4. The ban went into effect that same day.[162] |
| 19.[163] | Wellington, Florida | June 27, 2017 | June 27, 2017 | Ordinance | On June 27, 2017, the Wellington Village Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its second reading. The ban took effect immediately.[164] |
| 20.[165] | Dayton, Ohio | July 5, 2017 | July 5, 2017 | Ordinance | On June 28, 2017, the Dayton City Council passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[166][167] The ordinance passed its second reading on July 5 and went into force immediately. |
| 21.[168] | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | July 11, 2017 | July 11, 2017 | Ordinance | On June 22, 2017, the Philadelphia City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. It was signed by Mayor Jim Kenney on July 11, 2017.[169] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 22.[170] | Allentown, Pennsylvania | July 20, 2017 | July 20, 2017 | Ordinance | On July 19, 2017, the Allentown City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[171][172] It was signed by Mayor Ed Pawlowski the next day.[173] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 23.[174] | Greenacres, Florida | August 7, 2017 | August 7, 2017 | Ordinance | On August 7, 2017, the Greenacres City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in a 4–1 vote.[175] The ordinance took effect immediately.[176] |
| 24.[177] | Athens, Ohio | August 21, 2017 | August 21, 2017 | Ordinance | On August 21, 2017, the Athens City Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy within city limits.[178] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 25.[179] | Pima County, Arizona | August 1, 2017 | August 31, 2017 | Ordinance | The Pima County Board of Supervisors passed, in a 3–2 vote, an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[180][181] The ordinance went into effect 30 days later, upon filing with the Arizona Department of State. |
| 26.[182] | Boca Raton, Florida | October 10, 2017 | October 10, 2017 | Ordinance | The Boca Raton City Council voted 4–1 to enact an ordinance banning conversion therapy on October 10, 2017.[183][184] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 27.[185] | Oakland Park, Florida | October 18, 2017 | October 18, 2017 | Ordinance | The City Commission of Oakland Park approved a conversion therapy ban on October 18, 2017, in a unanimous 4–0 vote.[186] The ordinance went into force upon adoption. |
| 28.[187] | Palm Beach County, Florida | December 19, 2017 | December 21, 2017 | Ordinance | On December 19, 2017, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners approved, in a 5–2 vote, an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ordinance applies to all incorporated and unincorporated municipalities in the county. It took effect upon filing with the Florida Department of State on December 21, 2017.[188] |
| 29.[189] | Reading, Pennsylvania | December 21, 2017 | December 21, 2017 | Ordinance | The Reading City Council approved a conversion therapy ban on December 18, 2017, in a unanimous vote. It was signed by Mayor Wally Scott on December 21, 2017.[190] The ordinance went into force upon adoption. |
| 30.[191] | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | December 18, 2017 | December 23, 2017 | Ordinance | The Borough Council of Doylestown passed (7–1) a conversion therapy ban on December 18, 2017. It came into effect five days later.[192] |
| 31.[193] | Broward County, Florida | January 9, 2018 | January 9, 2018 | Ordinance | On January 9, 2018, the Broward County Commission approved unanimously an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[194] The ordinance took effect upon filing with the Florida Department of State, which happened that same day. |
| 32.[195] | State College, Pennsylvania | February 5, 2018 | February 5, 2018 | Ordinance | On February 5, 2018, the Borough Council of State College approved unanimously an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[196] |
| 33.[197] | Erie County, New York | February 15, 2018 | March 7, 2018 | Ordinance | The Erie County Legislature unanimously approved a conversion therapy ban on February 15, 2018.[198] The ordinance was controversially named the "Prevention of Emotional Neglect and Childhood Endangerment" (P.E.N.C.E) after Vice President Mike Pence. After County Executive Mark Poloncarz had provided his signature on March 5, the law went into effect upon filing with the New York Department of State on March 7, 2018.[199][200] |
| 34.[201] | Yardley, Pennsylvania | March 6, 2018 | March 11, 2018 | Ordinance | On March 6, the Yardley Borough Council unanimously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and prohibiting conversion therapy on minors.[202][203] The ordinance went into force five days later. |
| 35.[204] | Gainesville, Florida | April 5, 2018 | April 5, 2018 | Ordinance | On April 5, 2018, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously approved a conversion therapy ordinance.[205][206] It went into effect immediately. |
| 36.[207] | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | April 4, 2018 | April 14, 2018 | Ordinance | On March 27, 2018, the Milwaukee Common Council passed (12–2) a conversion therapy ordinance banning the practice in the city of Milwaukee.[208] Mayor Tom Barrett signed the ordinance into law on April 4, and it went into effect 10 days later.[209] |
| 37.[210] | New York City, New York | January 5, 2018 | May 5, 2018 | Ordinance | In June 2017, a bill to ban conversion therapy was introduced to the New York City Council.[211] The City Council passed (43–2) the ban on November 30. Mayor Bill de Blasio returned the bill unsigned on January 5, thus allowing it to become law. It went into effect 120 days later.[212] The ban applies to minors as well as adults. In September 2019, following a lawsuit by an anti-LGBT hate group, Alliance Defending Freedom,[213] the City Council moved to repeal the ban on conversion therapy for adults, citing how a ruling by the Second Circuit or the conservative Supreme Court could damage efforts against the practice nationwide.[214] |
| 38.[215] | Albany, New York | May 21, 2018 | May 21, 2018 | Ordinance | On May 21, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was unanimously approved by the city's Common Council.[216] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 39.[217] | Bellefonte, Pennsylvania | July 16, 2018 | July 16, 2018 | Ordinance | On July 16, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was approved by the Borough Council.[218] The ordinance went into effect immediately. |
| 40.[219] | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | July 17, 2018 | July 17, 2018 | Ordinance | On July 3, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was approved unanimously by the City Council,[220] and on July 17, 2018, was approved in a second and final reading.[221] The ordinance was dubbed the Appropriate Mental Health Services Ordinance.[222] It went into effect immediately.[223] |
| 41.[224] | Madison, Wisconsin | July 10, 2018 | July 20, 2018 | Ordinance | On July 10, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was approved by the city's Common Council.[225] The ordinance went into effect on July 20, 2018. |
| 42.[226] | Ulster County, New York | July 20, 2018 | July 27, 2018 | Ordinance | On June 20, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously approved by the Ulster County Legislature.[227] It was signed by County Executive Michael P. Hein on July 20, 2018, and took effect upon filing with the New York Secretary of State on July 27, 2018.[228][229] |
| 43.[230] | Rochester, New York | July 25, 2018 | August 25, 2018 | Ordinance | In July 2018, consumer protection legislation was introduced to the City Council to prohibit conversion therapy.[231] On July 24, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously approved by the City Council. It was deemed duly adopted on July 25 and took effect 30 days later.[230] |
| 44.[232] | Albany County, New York | July 9, 2018 | August 31, 2018 | Ordinance | On July 9, 2018, the Albany County Legislature approved an ordinance to ban conversion therapy by a vote of 37–1.[233] The ordinance was signed and adopted by the County Executive on August 2, 2018, and was filed with the New York Secretary of State on August 31, 2018.[234] |
| 45.[235] | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | October 9, 2018 | October 9, 2018 | Ordinance | On October 9, 2018, the Eau Claire City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to protect minors from conversion therapy.[236][237] |
| 46.[238] | Lakewood, Ohio | October 15, 2018 | October 15, 2018 | Ordinance | On October 15, 2018, the Lakewood City Council unanimously approved a measure to ban conversion therapy.[239][240] Fines for violating the law range from $500 to $1,000. |
| 47.[241] | Westchester County, New York | October 18, 2018 | October 26, 2018 | Ordinance | On October 1, 2018, the Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously voted to ban the practice of conversion therapy.[242][243] County Executive George Latimer signed the ordinance into law on October 18,[244] and on October 26, 2018, it was filed with the New York Department of State.[241] Those practicing conversion therapy may face a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment.[245] |
| 48.[246] | Newtown Township, Pennsylvania | November 28, 2018 | November 28, 2018 | Ordinance | On November 28, 2018, the Newtown Township (Bucks County) Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to prohibit conversion therapy in a bill establishing a Human Rights Commission, enacting immediately upon passage.[247][248] |
| 49.[249] | Cudahy, Wisconsin | January 2, 2019 | January 2, 2019 | Ordinance | On January 2, 2019, the Cudahy Common Council voted to prohibit conversion therapy by a vote of 4–1.[250] |
| 50.[251] | Denver, Colorado | January 8, 2019 | January 8, 2019 | Ordinance | On January 7, 2019, the Denver City Council unanimously voted to ban the practice of conversion therapy,[252] and the ordinance was signed into law by Mayor Michael Hancock the following day.[251] Violations of the ordinance may be subject to penalties of $150 to $999 per violation.[253] The ban was seen as "largely symbolic", as the city had no known practitioners of conversion therapy.[254] |
| 51.[255] | Erie, Pennsylvania | June 5, 2019 | June 5, 2019 | Ordinance | On June 5, 2019, the Erie City Council approved a conversion therapy ban.[256] |
| 52.[257] | Shorewood, Wisconsin | June 17, 2019 | June 17, 2019 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning the practice of conversion therapy was approved by the Shorewood Village Board on June 17, 2019, and went into effect immediately upon passage.[258] The ban does not apply to free services.[259] |
| 53.[260] | Huntington Woods, Michigan | June 4, 2019 | June 24, 2019 | Ordinance | In a unanimous vote, the Huntington Woods City Commission approved a ban on conversion therapy.[261] The ordinance went into force 20 days later.[260] |
| 54.[262] | Alachua County, Florida | May 28, 2019 | July 9, 2019 | Ordinance | In a unanimous vote on May 28, 2019, the Alachua County Commission voted to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy on minors within the county. The bill took effect 10 days after filing with the Florida Secretary of State. Violators of the ordinance may be fined $500 per violation.[263][264] |
| 55.[265] | Kent, Ohio | July 17, 2019 | July 17, 2019 | Ordinance | An ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously passed by the Kent City Council on July 17, 2019, and became effective that same day.[265] |
| 56.[266] | Racine, Wisconsin | July 16, 2019 | July 18, 2019 | Ordinance | On July 8, 2019, the Racine Common Council's Finance and Personnel Committee unanimously approved a conversion therapy ordinance banning the practice.[267] On July 16, the council passed the ordinance 11–3, and Mayor Cory Mason signed it into law on July 18.[268][269] It allows for fines up to $1000 for each day the ordinance is violated.[267] |
| 57.[270] | Sheboygan, Wisconsin | August 5, 2019 | August 5, 2019 | Ordinance | On August 5, 2019, the Sheboygan Common Council passed (8–1) a conversion therapy ordinance banning the practice in the city of Sheboygan.[271] |
| 58.[272] | Superior, Wisconsin | August 20, 2019 | August 20, 2019 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors was passed by the Superior City Council on August 20, 2019, and took effect immedidately upon passage.[273] |
| 59.[274] | Glendale, Wisconsin | August 26, 2019 | August 26, 2019 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy was approved by the Glendale Common Council on August 26, 2019.[275] |
| 60.[276] | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | September 17, 2019 | September 17, 2019 | Ordinance | On September 12, 2019, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission passed, in its first reading, an ordinance, which among other things, bans the use of conversion therapy on minors. The ban unanimously passed its second and final reading on September 17 and took effect immediately.[277][278][279] |
| 61.[280] | East Lansing, Michigan | September 10, 2019 | September 18, 2019 | Ordinance | In a divided 3–2 vote, the East Lansing City Council approved a conversion therapy ban,[281] which took effect 8 days later.[citation needed] |
| 62.[282] | Columbia, Missouri | October 7, 2019 | October 7, 2019 | Ordinance | The Columbia City Council unanimously approved a conversion therapy ordinance on October 7, 2019.[283][284] |
| 63.[285] | Ferndale, Michigan | October 14, 2019 | October 14, 2019 | Ordinance | The Ferndale City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on October 14, 2019, making the practice a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of $500.[286] |
| 64.[287] | Kansas City, Missouri | November 14, 2019 | November 14, 2019 | Ordinance | A conversion therapy ordinance was introduced on October 24, 2019,[citation needed] and was passed unanimously in its final reading on November 14.[288][289] |
| 65.[290] | Minneapolis, Minnesota | November 22, 2019 | November 30, 2019 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning the use of conversion therapy on minors was unanimously passed by the Minneapolis City Council on November 22, 2019. It was signed by Mayor Jacob Frey on November 26 and was published four days later.[291] |
| 66.[292] | St. Louis, Missouri | December 23, 2019 | December 23, 2019 | Ordinance | On December 23, 2019, Mayor Lyda Krewson signed an ordinance prohibiting the use of conversion therapy on minors. The ordinance had previously been approved by the Board of Aldermen.[293] |
| 67.[294] | Berkley, Michigan | December 2, 2019 | January 1, 2020 | Ordinance | The Berkley City Council held a first reading on an ordinance to prohibit conversion therapy in early November. The ordinance passed its final reading on December 2, 2019, and went into effect 30 days later.[295] |
| 68.[296] | Duluth, Minnesota | December 16, 2019 | January 15, 2020 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved unanimously by the Duluth City Council on December 16, 2019. It went into effect 30 days later on January 15, 2020.[297] |
| 69.[298] | Appleton, Wisconsin | January 22, 2020 | January 22, 2020 | Ordinance | The Appleton Common Council passed a conversion therapy ban on January 22, 2020, by a 14–1 vote.[299] |
| 70.[300] | Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | February 11, 2020 | February 14, 2020 | Ordinance | A ban on conversion therapy was approved 13–2 on February 11, 2020.[301][302] Final approval was granted three days later.[300] |
| 71.[303] | Covington, Kentucky | March 24, 2020 | March 24, 2020 | Ordinance | The Covington City Council passed a conversion therapy ban on March 24, 2020, by a unanimous vote of 5–0.[304] |
| 72.[305] | Tallahassee, Florida | April 8, 2020 | April 8, 2020 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved unanimously by the Tallahassee City Council on April 8, 2020, and it went into effect immediately.[306][307] |
| 73.[308] | Davenport, Iowa | April 22, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | Ordinance | An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved 8–2 on April 22, 2020,[309][310] and went into effect upon publication on April 28.[citation needed] Mayor Mike Matson stated the bill was inspired in part by Davenport's score on the Human Rights Campaign's municpital equality index.[311] |
| 74.[312] | Roeland Park, Kansas | June 1, 2020 | June 1, 2020 | Ordinance | An ordinance to ban conversion therapy was introduced to the City Council in May 2020. It passed the Council on June 1, by a 7–0 vote, and went into effect that same day after Mayor Mike Kelly had given his signature.[313] |
| 75.[314] | Red Wing, Minnesota | June 22, 2020 | July 6, 2020 | Ordinance | On June 22, 2020, the Red Wing City Council passed an ordinance to ban conversion therapy, taking effect two weeks later.[315] It went into effect on July 6, 2020.[316] |
| 76.[317] | Saint Paul, Minnesota | June 17, 2020 | July 17, 2020 | Ordinance | The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on June 17, 2020, with penalties of up to $1,000.[318] The ordinance went into effect one month later.[316] |
| 77. | Madison Heights, Michigan | July 27, 2020 | Ordinance | On July 27, 2020, the Madison Heights City Council voted unanimously make conversion therapy by healthcare providers a criminal offense subject to imprisonment and fines.[319] | |
| 78. | Royal Oak, Michigan | August 10, 2020 | August 10, 2020 | Ordinance | On August 10, 2020, the Royal Oak City Commission passed an ordinance which makes it a criminal misdemeanor – punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine – for a mental health professional to engage in conversion therapy with a minor.[320] The ordinance was drafted after a unanimous resolution on June 22, 2020.[321] |
| 79.[322] | West St. Paul, Minnesota | August 17, 2020 | August 17, 2020 | Ordinance | A conversion therapy ban was passed 5–1 on August 17, 2020, and went into force upon passage.[323] |
| 80.[324] | Winona, Minnesota | August 17, 2020 | September 2020 | Ordinance | The Winona City Council unanimously (6–0) passed a conversion therapy ban on August 17, 2020.[316] One council member was absent during the vote.[325] The ordinance makes the practice subject an administrative offense subject to a fine,[326] and it went into effect in September 2020.[316] |
| 81.[327] | Anchorage, Alaska | August 26, 2020 | August 26, 2020 | Ordinance | The Anchorage Assembly passed a conversion therapy ban on August 26, 2020, by a 9–2 vote.[328] |
| 82.[329] | West Allis, Wisconsin | September 1, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | Ordinance | The West Allis Common Council passed a conversion therapy ban on September 1, 2020, by a 6–3 vote.[330] The ordinance makes conversion therapy on minors illegal and punishable by a $5,000 fine.[330] |
| 83.[331] | Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania | September 8, 2020 | September 8, 2020 | Ordinance | On September 8, 2020, the Township of Middletown's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to establish a Human Relations Commission.[332][331] Under this ordinance, conversion therapy performed on a minor by a mental health professional is unlawful discrimination.[331] |
| 84.[333] | Louisville, Kentucky | September 17, 2020 | October 1, 2020 | Ordinance | On September 2, 2020, Louisville Councilman Bill Hollander filed an ordinance to ban conversion therapy by licensed professionals and to prevent public funds from being used for the practice.[334] On September 9, the Louisville Metro Council's Community Affairs, Health and Education Committee unanimously voted to recommend the ordinance,[335] and on September 17, the Council passed it by a 24–1 vote.[336] The ordinance went into effect two weeks later after Mayor Greg Fischer signed it into law on October 1.[337] |
| 85.[338] | Kenosha, Wisconsin | October 5, 2020 | October 5, 2020 | Ordinance | The Kenosha City Council passed an ordinance outlawing conversion therapy on October 5, 2020, by a 14–1 vote.[339] The ordinance makes conversion therapy for compensation – or knowingly assisting or facilitating such a practice – punishable by a fine and 90 days in jail.[339] |
| 86. | Robbinsdale, Minnesota | February 2, 2021 | February 2, 2021 | Ordinance | On January 5, 2021, the Robbinsdale City Council voted unanimously to pass a first reading of a conversion therapy ban.[340] They passed a second reading of the conversion therapy ban, also unanimously, on February 2, 2021.[341] The ban makes conversion therapy performed by a medical practice a level five violation punishable by a fine.[341] |
| 87. | Lincoln, Nebraska | February 22, 2021 | February 22, 2021 | Ordinance | The Lincoln City Council passed a conversion therapy ban, introduced by Councilman James Michael Bowers, by a 5–1 vote with one member absent on February 22, 2021.[342] The measure was praised by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.[342] The ban applies only to licensed mental health professionals.[343] |
| 88. | Scranton, Pennsylvania | April 6, 2021 | April 6, 2021 | Ordinance | On April 6, 2021, the Scranton City Council voted 4–0 (with President Bill Gaughan absent), proactively barring licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors.[344] The measure was proposed that March by Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild, the council's first openly gay member.[345] |
| 89. | Bloomington, Minnesota | April 19, 2021 | Ordinance | On April 19, 2021, the Bloomington City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults.[346] In contrast to other – largely proactive – bans in Minnesota, at the time of the ban, Bloomington had two licensed providers who practiced conversion therapy on minors.[347] | |
| 90.[348] | Lawrence, Kansas | April 20, 2021 | May 4, 2021 | Ordinance | On April 20, 2021, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to ban the practice of conversion therapy by licensed providers.[349] While an explicit exception for religious organizations was removed from the ordinance, the ban implicitly does not apply to unlicensed clergy or pastoral counselors.[350][351] The measure was inspired by a similar ban in Roeland Park.[352] |
| 91.[353] | Lexington, Kentucky | May 6, 2021 | May 6, 2021 | Ordinance | The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council passed a conversion therapy ban unanimously on May 6, 2021.[354] |
| 92.[355] | Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | May 18, 2021 | May 21, 2021 | Ordinance | The Sun Prairie City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on May 18, 2021.[356][357] |
| 94.[358] | Norman, Oklahoma | June 29, 2021 | Ordinance | On May 11, 2021, the Norman, Oklahoma City Council considered a ban on the use of city funds for conversion therapy on minors,[359][360] but some council members felt the ordinance did not go far enough,[361] and no action was taken.[362] On May 24, the Norman Human Rights Commission unanimously recommended the council ban conversion therapy on minors by medical professionals,[363] and on June 22, an ordinance amended from the original to include this provision – making the practice a misdemeanor[364] punishable by up to $750 or up to 60 days in jail – passed a first reading.[365][366] In a unanimous vote on June 29, the council passed the ordinance.[367][368] | |
| 95. | North Kansas City, Missouri | July 20, 2021 | July 20, 2021 | Ordinance | The North Kansas City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on July 20, 2021.[369] |
| 96. | Charleston, West Virginia | August 2, 2021 | Ordinance | On August 2, 2021, the Charleston City Council passed a bill prohibiting mental health providers from using conversion therapy on minors by a vote of 14–9.[370] Violations are punishable by license revocation and a fine of $1,000.[371] This made Charleston the first city in West Virginia to ban conversion therapy.[370] | |
| 97.[372] | Ann Arbor, Michigan | August 16, 2021 | August 16, 2021 | Ordinance | On August 16, 2021, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously [373] passed an ordinance prohibiting mental health providers and professional counselors from using conversion therapy on minors. Violations are punishable by no more than $500 per day.[374] |
| 98. | Prairie Village, Kansas | October 18, 2021 | October 26, 2021 | Ordinance | On September 21, 2021, the Prairie Village city council voted 10–2 to draft an ordinance to ban conversion therapy for minors.[375] On October 5, the council voted 11–1 to progress the draft to a final vote,[376] and on October 18, they voted 11–1 to pass the ordinance, with violations resulting in a fine up to $1000 for licensed practitioners. The ban goes into effect on October 26.[377] |
| 99. | Morgantown, West Virginia | October 19, 2021 | October 19, 2021 | Ordinance | On October 5, 2021, the Morgantown city council voted 7–0 to move an ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors to a final approval following a first reading. Final approval was given in a 7–0 vote on October 19, 2021.[378] |
| 100. | Independence, Missouri | November 16, 2021 | Ordinance | On November 16, 2021, the Independence City Council voted 6–0 to ban conversion therapy on minors following two failed efforts.[379][380] | |
| 101. | Wheeling, West Virginia | May 4, 2022 | May 4, 2022 | Ordinance | On May 4, 2022, Wheeling City Council voted 4–3 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[381] |
| 102. | La Crosse, Wisconsin | June 9, 2022 | June 9, 2022 | Ordinance | On June 9, 2022, La Crosse City Council voted 6–4 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[382] |
| 103. | Linn County, Iowa | June 13, 2022 | June 13, 2022 | Ordinance | On June 13, 2022, the Linn County Board of Supervisors voted 2–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[383] The ban applies only to unincorporated areas of the county. |
| 104. | Cleveland Heights, Ohio | June 21, 2022 | June 21, 2022 | Ordinance | On June 21, 2022, the Cleveland Heights City Council voted to ban conversion therapy on minors.[384] |
| 105. | Reynoldsburg, Ohio | June 27, 2022 | Ordinance | On June 27, 2022, the Reynoldsburg City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[385] | |
| 106. | Huntington, West Virginia | July 11, 2022 | Ordinance | On July 11, 2022, the Huntington City Council voted 7–4 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[386] | |
| 107. | Northfield, Minnesota | July 12, 2022 | Ordinance | On July 12, 2022, the Northfield City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[387] | |
| 108. | Cleveland, Ohio | October 10, 2022 | Ordinance | On October 10, 2022, the Cleveland City Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy on minors.[388] | |
| 109. | Richfield, Minnesota | October 11, 2022 | Ordinance | On October 11, 2022, the Richfield City Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy on minors and vulnerable adults.[389] | |
| 110. | Akron, Ohio | October 24, 2022 | October 24, 2022 | Ordinance | On October 24, 2022, the Akron City Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy on minors.[390] |
| 111. | Jackson County, Missouri | April 19, 2023 | Ordinance | On April 3, 2023, the Jackson County Legislature voted to ban conversion therapy.[391] A ban had previously failed that March.[392] The ban was signed on April 19, 2023, by Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.[393] | |
| 112. | Lorain, Ohio | September 3, 2024 | Ordinance | On September 3, 2024, Lorain City Council voted unanimously to ban conversion therapy.[394] | |
| 113. | Westerville, Ohio | February 18, 2025 | Ordinance | On February 18, 2025, Westerville Council voted to ban conversion therapy.[395] | |
| 114. | Whitehall, Ohio | August 19, 2025 | Ordinance | On August 19, 2025, Whitehall Council voted to ban conversion therapy as well anti-LGBT discrimination.[396] | |
| 115. | Cuyahoga County, Ohio | September 10, 2025 | Ordinance | On September 10, 2025, Cuyahoga County Council members voted, unanimous, in favor to ban conversion therapy for minors and “vulnerable adults,” in Cuyahoga County.[397] The ordinance was sponsored by Robert Schleper Jr. County Council's first out gay member.[397] |
School boards
| School board | Date of enactment | Date effective | Legalization method | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education, Wisconsin | September 24, 2018 | September 24, 2018 | Policy | On September 24, 2018, the Eau Claire School Board voted unanimously (7 ayes) in favor of Board Policy 453.7 - Student Mental Health and Wellness Education, which included a clause stating "the Eau Claire Area School District shall exclusively enter into School-based health center agreements with health clinics and/or providers that agree to abide by the District's Nondiscrimination Policy for Students. The District shall not enter into agreements with health clinics and/or providers that endorse or engage in the practice of conversion therapy." The policy went into effect immediately.[398] |
Medical, psychological and psychiatric organizations
Despite the lack of federal legislation regarding bans on conversion therapy, such therapy has been banned by numerous therapy organizations operating in the U.S.[399][400] It has been banned by the American Psychiatric Association since 1998.[401][402] In 2009, conversion therapy was also rebuked by the American Psychological Association.[403] Others include the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and many more.
Resolutions and proclamations
As of February 2021, fourteen cities/counties have passed non-binding resolutions or proclamations declaring opposition to conversion therapy. These are Edgewater, Colorado;[404] Westminster, Colorado;[405] Wheat Ridge, Colorado;[406] Indianapolis, Indiana;[407] Atlanta, Georgia;[408] Worcester, Massachusetts;[409] Columbia, Missouri;[410] Suffolk County, New York;[411] Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;[412] Appleton, Wisconsin;[413] Eau Claire County, Wisconsin;[414][415] Richmond, Virginia;[416] Rochester, Minnesota;[417][418] and Shorewood, Wisconsin.[419]
Legal challenges and prohibitions on bans
The New Jersey ban on conversion therapy was upheld by district judge Freda L. Wolfson; the case was brought upon by parents who alleged that it violated their rights under the First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, and to freedom of religion. Wolfson upheld the ban, ruling that the law regulated conduct and not speech.[420]
In August 2013, California's ban was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Pickup v. Brown and Welch v. Brown.[421] The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal against the ruling.[421] In February 2015, the New Jersey Superior Court issued a pre-trial ruling in Ferguson v. JONAH, finding that offering conversion services on the basis of a description of homosexuality as "abnormal" or a mental illness violated the state's consumer fraud act. In June 2015, the Court ordered JONAH to pay damages and cease all operations, and prohibited its founder Arthur A. Goldberg from further practicing any form of conversion therapy in the state of New Jersey.[422][423][424]
In 2020, the Eleventh Circuit ruled that a ban on conversion therapy enforced by Palm Beach County and Boca Raton, Florida violated the First Amendment rights of therapists, as upholding the statute could also allow ordinances that prohibit gender-affirming mental health assistance, and "people have intense moral, religious, and spiritual views about these matters—on all sides. And that is exactly why the First Amendment does not allow communities to determine how their neighbors may be counseled about matters of sexual orientation or gender.[124]
In March 2023, the state of Indiana passed a bill prohibiting local governments from regulating services that are licensed or specifically exempt from licensure from the state, including behavioral therapy (and, in turn, conversion therapy). This bill was originally intended to effectively target conversion therapy (being tabled in retaliation for an attempt to institute a conversion therapy ban for unlicensed practitioners in West Lafayette, Indiana), but was extended in the legislative process to also include other categories of state-licensed services beyond behavioral health.[425][426]
In March 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Chiles v. Salazar that portions of Colorado's conversion therapy ban in regards to talk therapy must be reviewed with strict scrutiny by lower courts, overturning a ruling against a Colorado therapist who was requesting an as-applied challenge over the ban. The majority opinion found that this portion of the ban constituted the regulation of speech based on viewpoints, and that "the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country".[427] Colorado subsequently passed an amendment to its conversion therapy ban as to not regulate a viewpoint, redefining conversion therapy as the direction of a patient to a "predetermined sexual orientation or gender identity outcome", or to "eliminate or reduce attractions toward individuals of a particular sex or gender".[428][429]
Former bans
On September 18, 2024, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors, and barring medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors,[430] but this ban was overturned by the state legislature, which overrode Beshear's veto to pass a bill that rescinds his executive order on March 27, 2025.[431]
On May 16, 2023, the Waterloo, Iowa City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors by medical professionals.[432][433] On August 21, 2023, this ordinance was removed.[433]
In June 2025, Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares entered into a consent decree to not enforce the ban on talk conversion therapy.[97][434]
On June 15, 2021, the Columbia City Council passed an ordinance in a 4–3 vote which makes conversion therapy a civil violation for licensed counselors or therapists, punishable by a $500 fine.[435][436] The measure was repealed in a 4–3 vote on June 24, 2025, under threat of loss of funding from the state.[437]
