LANSING — A federal court of appeals has ruled that Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy violates the constitutional rights of some licensed counselors and therapists.
The decision affects Public Acts 117 and 118 of 2023, which were passed to prohibit conversion therapy for minors. The laws were intended to protect LGBTQ-plus children from practices widely criticized by medical and mental health organizations.
Public Act 118 was authored by state Representative Jason Hoskins, from Southfield.
Following the ruling, Hoskins said the fight to uphold the law is not over. He emphasized that conversion therapy has been widely discredited and argued the state has a responsibility to protect public health and prevent harm to children.
Hoskins said the law was designed to regulate professional conduct, not personal beliefs, and that licensed professionals have an obligation to avoid practices shown to cause harm.
State officials have not yet announced whether Michigan will appeal the decision or pursue additional legal options.