Beshear vetoes ‘conversion therapy’ bill, Republicans are likely to override him

As anticipated, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would both allow conversion therapy in Kentucky and prevent transgender Kentuckians on Medicaid from accessing gender-affirming health care.

Kentucky’s overwhelmingly Republican legislature, though, is likely to override his veto of House Bill 495 during the final days of session this coming week. 

“Conversion therapy is torture, and that’s why I signed an executive order banning it in Kentucky,” Beshear said in a social media post Saturday night. “Legislators seek to overturn those protections with HB 495, which I vetoed at the Fairness Dinner.

“I’m going to keep fighting for what’s right — and that’s loving thy neighbor,” Beshear added.

Beshear signed the veto at the Fairness Dinner before handing off the pen to Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman should he want to “auction it off.” Applause and chants of “Andy!” erupted immediately after.

Beshear, a Democrat, signed an executive order in September prohibiting the discredited counseling practice. Lawmakers had been trying for years to pass legislation to end conversion therapy in Kentucky to no avail. 

HB 495 initially sought to just allow conversion therapy in Kentucky. A last-minute substitute version of the bill tacked on a change to also block hormone treatments and gender-affirming surgeries from transgender people on Medicaid. 

It is one of two anti-LGBTQ+ bills that landed on Beshear’s desk ahead of a 10-day veto period before the 2025 legislative session ends. Senate Bill 2 seeks to restrict what health care transgender inmates can receive.

Beshear is halfway through the veto period — a dedicated space for him to sign bills into law, veto them or let them become law without his signature. More than 100 pieces of legislation landed on his desk before 11:59 p.m. on March 14, the last moment the legislature could give him bills to consider while still giving themselves a chance to override his vetoes.

Lawmakers will head back to Frankfort to close out the session on March 27 and 28.

This story will be updated.