Gov. Beshear vetoes bill aimed at overturning conversion therapy ban and Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Gov. Andy Beshear has announced the veto of House Bill 495.

The bill would’ve overturned his September 2024 executive order banning conversion therapy in the state. An added amendment would’ve also banned any coverage of gender-affirming care for people on Medicaid.

Gov. Beshear called conversion therapy “torture” and that he vetoed the bill to fight for what is right. He has only vetoed a handful of other bills passed by the legislature before the veto recess. The most notable being House Bill 4.

House Bill 4 would’ve eliminated DEI funding in higher education. The governor has a few more days to veto any bills sent to his desk.

In Kentucky, when the governor receives a bill, he only gets 10 days excluding Sundays to sign it or veto it. If he does nothing, the bills will automatically become law.

The veto recess ends on Thursday, March 27, when lawmakers will return to Frankfort for the final two days of the legislative session. Lawmakers could vote to override any vetoes by the governor at that time.