May 7, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives Snodgrass, Novak, Cabrera,
Neubauer, Spreitzer, Anderson, Andraca, Baldeh, Billings, Bowen,
Brostoff, Conley, Considine, Doyle, Drake, Emerson, Goyke, Hebl,
Hesselbein, Hintz, Hong, Kitchens, Milroy, L. Myers, Pope, Riemer, S.
Rodriguez
, Shankland, Shelton, Sinicki, Subeck and Vining, cosponsored by
Senators Carpenter, Agard, Larson, Erpenbach, Johnson, Ringhand, Roys,
Smith and L. Taylor. Referred to Committee on Mental Health.
AB312,1,2 1An Act to create 51.608, 448.015 (4) (am) 4., 455.09 (1) (gm) and 457.26 (2) (i)
2of the statutes; relating to: prohibiting conversion therapy.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion
therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is any practice that seeks to change an
individual's gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation, but does not
include counseling or therapy that provides acceptance, support, and understanding
of the individual; counseling or therapy that facilitates an individual's coping, social
support, and identity exploration and development; or, counseling for an individual
seeking to transition from one gender to another. In addition, the bill specifies that
a violation of the prohibition in the bill by a mental health provider is grounds for
professional discipline by the appropriate credentialing board.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB312,1 3Section 1. 51.608 of the statutes is created to read:
AB312,1,4 451.608 Conversion therapy prohibited. (1) Definitions. In this section:
AB312,2,25 (a) 1. “Conversion therapy” means any practice that seeks to change an
6individual's gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation, including

1efforts to change behaviors or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions
2or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.
AB312,2,33 2. “Conversion therapy” does not include any of the following:
AB312,2,84 a. Counseling or therapy that provides acceptance, support, and
5understanding of the individual or the facilitation of an individual's coping, social
6support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual
7orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe
8sexual practices.
AB312,2,109 b. Counseling for an individual seeking to transition from one gender to
10another.
AB312,2,1111 (b) “Mental health provider” means any of the following:
AB312,2,1212 1. A physician licensed under ch. 448.
AB312,2,1313 2. A psychologist licensed under ch. 455.
AB312,2,1414 3. A marriage and family therapist licensed under s. 457.10 or 457.11.
AB312,2,1515 4. A professional counselor licensed under s. 457.12 or 457.13.
AB312,2,1616 5. Any social worker who holds a license or certificate granted under ch. 457.
AB312,2,1817 6. A person who is practicing under a valid training or temporary license or
18certificate granted under ch. 457.
AB312,2,2019 7. A student, intern, volunteer, or other person assisting or acting under the
20direction of an individual described in subds. 1. to 6.
AB312,2,22 21(2) Conversion therapy prohibited. No mental health provider may engage
22in conversion therapy with an individual who is under 18 years of age.
AB312,2 23Section 2 . 448.015 (4) (am) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB312,2,2424 448.015 (4) (am) 4. A violation by a physician of s. 51.608 (2).
AB312,3 25Section 3 . 455.09 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB312,3,1
1455.09 (1) (gm) Violates s. 51.608 (2).
AB312,4 2Section 4 . 457.26 (2) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
AB312,3,33 457.26 (2) (i) Violated s. 51.608 (2).
AB312,3,44 (End)
Loading...
Loading...