Council holds first reading of ordinance to ban conversion therapy for minors; complaints would use existing nondiscrimination process

City officials introduced a draft ordinance that would prohibit licensed mental‑health professionals from practicing conversion or reparative therapy on minors within Westerville city limits and place complaints under the city’s Chapter 511 nondiscrimination complaint process.

The city attorney said the draft draws from local and national ordinances and that multiple medical organizations oppose conversion therapy. "This is a practice that has, been proven to be wildly ineffective and often results in physical and psychological trauma," the presenter said and described a complaint and investigation pathway that would follow existing nondiscrimination procedures and could involve the Columbus Department of Neighborhoods.

Several council members asked detailed questions about process and unintended consequences. One council member said a recurring concern from prior discussions was that a complaint would become a public record and potentially breach patient‑client confidentiality: "A minor, gets exposed with the public record by the complaint," the member said, describing the prior obstacles to adopting similar language. The law director and council discussed that the process under Chapter 511 would include an independent hearing officer who can investigate, perform discovery and subpoena records and that the law director would receive and act on the commission's recommendation.

Staff said they have a partial agreement with the Columbus Department of Neighborhoods to consider investigative support but that the city is still working to confirm how that partnership would operate and whether additional local arrangements would be needed.

Council did not vote on the ordinance at first reading and asked staff to return with additional information and clarifications for a later reading.