Win for Moral and Fiscal Sanity! The Family Foundation Applauds the General Assembly’s Override of Gov. Beshear’s Veto of HB 495

FRANKFORT, KY – Today, the Kentucky General Assembly overwhelmingly rejected Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of HB 495. HB 495 by Rep. David Hale, overturns Gov. Beshear’s “conversion therapy” executive order that infringed upon free speech, religious liberty, and parental rights. HB 495 also includes language to protect taxpayers from paying for “gender transitions” through Medicaid.

The Family Foundation applauds the Kentucky House and Senate, including leadership in both chambers, for overriding Beshear’s veto of the bill. HB 495, and a related bill SB 2, came about following Gov. Andy Beshear’s unlawful “conversion therapy” ban executive order and revelations that the Administration is seeking to pay for these kinds of destructive treatments in state correctional facilities without going through the legislative process. The Family Foundation has called for an end of this wasteful spending and has called for the General Assembly to protect Kentucky taxpayers against funding radical gender ideology.

Statement from David Walls, Executive Director of The Family Foundation:

“Today’s vote to override Gov. Beshear veto of HB 495 is a win for free speech, religious liberty, and for fiscal and moral sanity. Gov. Beshear’s brazen “conversion therapy” executive order was a one-sided counseling ban that directly attacked free speech and Christian convictions. Overturning this unconstitutional order ensures that Kentucky counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God’s design for gender and sexuality.

“Further, the idea that state taxpayers should be footing the bill for gender mutilating treatments of any individual is outrageous. We believe that no taxpayer dollars should pay for the gender mutilation of any person anywhere in this Commonwealth. To use taxpayer funds for such purposes is not only poor stewardship but encourages individuals to undergo irreparable harm to their person. It’s not possible to change a person’s sex, and government has no place in promoting or subsidizing such madness. We commend the Kentucky General Assembly for taking action to give final passage to HB 495,” Walls concluded.