# Michigan and Washington conversion therapy bans blocked

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-conversion-therapy-ban-blocked
> Updated: 2026-08-24T02:11:29.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 5.

In late July 2026, a Michigan district court judge issued a permanent order halting the state's 2023 law that prohibited conversion‑therapy‑type counseling for minors. The state agreed to comply, effectively stopping enforcement of the ban. The court found the law violated the First Amendment by compelling therapists to affirm transgender identities.

Two days later, a federal judge entered a stipulated judgment that also permanently blocked the law, after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an earlier state‑court ruling and classified the ban as viewpoint‑based discrimination, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in *Chiles v. Salazar* that struck down a similar Colorado ban.

In early August, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that comparable bans violate the First Amendment. Michigan reaffirmed its decision not to enforce the 2023 ban, and a district judge awarded $750,000 in attorney fees while extending the block to licensed professionals providing talk‑therapy. 

The Supreme Court decision also revived a challenge to Washington's 2018 ban. In late August, Washington state officials agreed to stop enforcing the counseling ban against Christian therapist Brian Tingley while his lawsuit continues. A preliminary order protects Tingley from complaints regarding his faith-based talk therapy, though the state’s law remains in effect for other counselors as litigation proceeds. 

On August 24, a federal district court in Washington agreed to reopen the legal challenge brought by Tingley. Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, Tingley contends that the 2018 law, SB 5722, constitutes censorship of his speech by creating a viewpoint-based restriction that allows support for gender transition while prohibiting counseling aimed at achieving comfort with one's biological sex. This reopening follows the precedent set by the Supreme Court in *Chiles v. Salazar*.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Washington therapist's legal challenge to counseling law to be reopened

A Washington federal district court will reopen a case challenging a 2018 state law that restricts counseling for minors regarding gender-related distress, following a Supreme Court precedent.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/washington-therapists-legal-challenge-to-counseling-law-to-be-reopened

### 2026-08-20: Washington State halts enforcement of counseling ban against Christian therapist

Washington state officials will not enforce a counseling ban against Christian therapist Brian Tingley while his lawsuit challenging the state's restrictions on faith-based therapy proceeds.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/washington-state-halts-enforcement-of-counseling-ban-against-christian-therapist

### 2026-08-05: U.S. Supreme Court decision fuels challenges to state conversion‑therapy bans in Michigan and Washington

After a Supreme Court ruling deeming conversion‑therapy bans unconstitutional, Michigan halted enforcement of its ban and Washington revived a therapist’s challenge to its 2018 law.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-supreme-court-decision-fuels-challenges-to-state-conversiontherapy-bans-in-michigan-and-washingto

### 2026-08-01: Michigan Court Strikes Down State Conversion‑Therapy Ban for Minors

A federal judge has permanently blocked Michigan's ban on counseling minors with gender dysphoria, citing the Supreme Court's *Chiles* decision; related legal setbacks occurred in Washington and at the Univ. of

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-court-strikes-down-state-conversiontherapy-ban-for-minors

### 2026-07-30: Michigan Court Blocks State Ban on Conversion Therapy

Michigan court issues permanent order blocking the state’s ban on “conversion therapy,” citing First Amendment violations; the state will comply.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-court-blocks-state-ban-on-conversion-therapy

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Cite as: Michigan and Washington conversion therapy bans blocked. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/michigan-conversion-therapy-ban-blocked