The Portland Press Herald reports:
Gov. Paul Lepage vetoed a Bill Friday to prohibit state-licensed counselors and therapists from engaging in “conversion therapy” aimed at changing an underage client’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
In his veto message, LePage called the bill “bad public policy” because the broad definition could prevent professionals from answering clients’ questions or having conversations with them.
“This bill attempts to regulate professionals who already have a defined scope of practice and standard of care per their statutory licensing requirements,” LePage wrote. “I strongly agree that young people should not be physically or mentally abused if they come out to their parents or guardians because they have experienced sexual or romantic attraction to an individual of the same gender. However, as it is written – ‘any practice or course of treatment’ – can call into question a simple conversation.”
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, countered that it was “ludicrous” for LePage to suggest that the bill would prevent counselors from talking about sexuality with a client.
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