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Commission repeals city conversion‑therapy ban citing appellate court precedent
Summary
Citing Eleventh Circuit precedent holding such restrictions unconstitutional in this region, the commission voted unanimously to repeal the local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors.
The Boynton Beach City Commission voted unanimously May 6 on first reading to repeal the city's ordinance that prohibited conversion therapy on minors.
City staff told the commission that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (which governs Florida) has ruled that ordinances banning conversion therapy on minors may violate First Amendment protections. "The Eleventh Circuit…indicated that this type of regulation violates a person's First Amendment rights, and therefore deemed them to be unconstitutional," the deputy city attorney said. Because the Eleventh Circuit governs Florida, staff recommended repeal until a definitive U.S. Supreme Court ruling changes that precedent.
The ordinance read into the record was Proposed Ordinance No. 25‑007, which repeals the local code sections that established the ban. Commissioner Kelly moved the ordinance, Vice Mayor Hayes seconded, and the clerk recorded a unanimous roll call vote on the first reading.
Staff said the repeal reflects current federal appellate precedent in the region, not an evaluation of the policy merits. The item will follow the city's regular ordinance process for final adoption or further review at the second reading.
