MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has cleared the way for the state to permanently enact a ban on conversion therapy.
The court ruled Tuesday that a Republican-controlled legislative committee’s rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional. The 4-3 ruling from the liberal-controlled court comes amid the national battle over LGBTQ+ rights.
The court’s ruling has a broad impact far beyond the conversion therapy issue. It takes power away from the Legislature to block the enactment of rules that carry the force of law by the governor’s office.
The court’s liberal majority said the Wisconsin Constitution mandates any law must pass both chambers of the Legislature and be presented to the governor. The decision could extend to other areas including environmental and public health regulations.