New Jersey’s Republican Governor Chris Christie (pictured) signed New Jersey A3371 banning so-called sexual conversion or reparative therapy on minors into law earlier this month.
In his signing statement, Christie said:
At the outset of this debate, Iexpressed my concerns about government limiting parental choice on the care andtreatment of their own children. I still have those concerns. Government shouldtread carefully into this area and I do so here reluctantly. I have scrutinizedthis piece of legislation with that concern in mind.
However, I also believe that onissues of medical treatment for children we must look to experts in the fieldto determine the relative risks and rewards. The American Psychological Associationhas found that efforts to change sexual orientation can pose critical healthrisks including, but not limited to, depression, substance abuse, socialwithdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
I believe that exposing childrento these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh theseserious risks is not appropriate. Based upon this analysis, I sign this billinto law.
Despite Christie’s careful articulation of his support for the bill, it was criticized and quickly challenged in a complaint filed in federal court in King v. Christie. The plaintiffs include Tara King, a licensed professional counselor, as well as National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality(“NARTH”) and American Association of Christian Counselors (“AACC”). They argue that the law violates their First Amendment rights of free speech, rights of their clients to “receive information,” and free exercise of religion, as well as clients’ parental due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, in addition to concomitant rights under the New Jersey state constitution.
RR
UPDATE: In Pickup v. Brown, the Ninth Circuit has upheld California’s similar law banning sexual conversion therapy.