Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB3

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/6/23
• Refer: 3/8/23
• Refer: 3/14/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Rules defining unprofessional conduct by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers and suspension of a portion of a rule of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board.

Impact

The enactment of AB3 would have significant implications for the scope of practice among licensed professionals in the mental health field within Wisconsin. By officially allowing therapists to employ methods without the fear of being designated as unprofessional conduct, the bill seeks to protect the rights of individuals from being subjected to conversion therapy or similar interventions that attempt to alter their inherent sexual orientations or gender identities. This legislative action aligns with broader movements advocating for the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ individuals across the United States.

Summary

Assembly Bill 3 (AB3) is a legislative proposal aimed at amending specific sections of the Wisconsin statutes concerning the professional conduct of marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers. The bill specifically prohibits the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board from promulgating rules that classify practices which seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity as unprofessional conduct. This legislation is a response to previous rules governing therapeutic practices that were deemed to be discriminatory or harmful towards specific populations.

Contention

AB3 has paved the way for considerable discourse surrounding ethical practices in therapy, particularly focusing on interventions related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Advocates argue that prohibiting such conversion practices is a progressive step toward ensuring client welfare and promoting acceptance within professional counseling. Conversely, opponents may view this bill as an infringement on the rights of therapists to utilize their discretion in client treatment practices, raising questions about the balance between professional standards and individual freedoms.