Number
250618
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
241415
Sponsor
ALD. BROWER
Title
Substitute resolution amending to the City of Milwaukee’s State Legislative Package to express support for passage of state legislation prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.
Analysis
This resolution amends the City of Milwaukee’s State Legislative Package to include support for 2025 Wisconsin Senate Bill 324 and Assembly Bill 359, which prohibit licensed mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with minors.
Body
Whereas, Senate Bill 324 and Assembly Bill 359 were introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature to prohibit licensed mental health providers from engaging in conversion therapy with minors, where conversion therapy is defined as interventions or methods intended to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including attempts to alter behaviors or expressions of self, or to reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings towards individuals of the same gender or sexual orientation; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 324 and Assembly Bill 359 explicitly state that conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual seeking or undergoing a gender transition; counseling that provides acceptance, support, or understanding; counseling that facilitates a client’s coping, social support, identity expression or development; or sexual orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, provided such counseling is not for the purpose of attempting to change a client’s sexual orientation or gender identity; and
Whereas, The bills require the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining Board, the Marriage Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board, to investigate any allegation that a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by those boards has violated the prohibitions on performing conversion therapy, and further authorize these boards to limit, suspend, or revoke the license, certificate, or authorization of any person found to be in violation; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 324 and Assembly Bill 359 have been endorsed by several professional organizations, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Wisconsin Chapter of National Association of Social Workers, the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses, the Wisconsin Psychological Association, the Wisconsin School Psychologist Association, and the Wisconsin School of Social Workers Association; and
Whereas, Protecting the psychological well-being and autonomy of minors by preventing coercive efforts to alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through discredited methods aligns with professional standards of care and ethical responsibilities of licensed mental health providers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Common Council Resolution File Number 241415 is amended by inserting the following item into the document attached to the file as the “2025-26 State Legislative Package”:
|
Racial, Social, and Economic Equity |
Common Council |
Support Senate Bill 324 and Assembly Bill 359, and express the City of Milwaukee’s endorsement for the Wisconsin State Legislature to adopt this legislation as a means to protect the health, dignity, and rights of minors by prohibiting conversion therapy by licensed mental health professionals. |
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward copies of this resolution to members of the City of Milwaukee’s delegation to the Wisconsin Legislature.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB180896-1
Addis Zewdie
07/24/2025