Therapy to change kids’ sexual orientation banned

Palm Beach County is the first county in Florida to ban therapists from trying to change the sexual orientation of children, buoying efforts to prohibit the practice in Broward and elsewhere in the Sunshine State.

Commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve the ban, despite concerns from the county attorney that their decision could result in a legal challenge.

The regulations will apply to unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County and cities that do not opt out of the rules. Only licensed therapists will be barred from offering conversion therapy to patients younger than 18. Clergy will be exempt.

The ban will take effect as soon as it is filed with Florida Department of State. Violations will be punishable by fines from $250 to $500 per violation. County officials say enforcement would likely be driven by complaints.

The movement to ban the practice is gathering momentum in South Florida. Several South Florida cities have banned the practice, including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Wilton Manors. Broward County is set to take up a ban Jan. 9.

Palm Beach County Attorney Denise Nieman advised the commission to postpone its vote on banning conversion therapy until a lawsuit directed at a similar ban in Tampa is resolved.

Liberty Counsel, an Orlandobased nonprofit that bills itself as “restoring the culture by advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the family” filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month against Tampa’s ban.

That group has also threatened to sue Palm Beach County if it proceeds with its ban.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has pushed for the ban for more than a year, arguing conversion therapy is not backed by science and harms children. The group’s founder, Rand Hoch, said he’s aware of at least two Palm Beach County children who were forced to undergo conversion therapy by their parents.

Opponents of the ban argued it would infringe on free speech, religious freedom and parental rights.

Florida has not expressly prohibited counties from banning conversion therapy, but the courts have not examined whether there is an “implied” prohibition, according to the county’s legal research.