Leaving aside any other questions raised by such a treatment or law, one big thing stands out: what right does the state have to interfere with therapist and a patient? If there were some criminal or tortious actions on the part of the therapist, there are already laws that would cover that eventuality.
This is Christie running to claim the “centrist” flag, without realizing he doesn’t have the primary locked up.
Via Daily Mail:
Republican Chris Christie has signed a law barring licensed therapists from trying to turn gay teenagers straight.
The New Jersey governor said the health risks of trying to change a child’s sexual orientation trumped concerns over the government setting limits on parental choice.
His decision yesterday was the latest example of the potential 2016 presidential candidate steering a moderate course.
He stated in his signing note: ‘Government should tread carefully into this area.. and I do so here reluctantly’.
The decision marked the third time this month that Christie has staked out a moderate position on a hot-button social issue as he seeks a second term in a Democratic-leaning state.