Liberty Counsel represents Robert Vazzo, LMFT, David Pickup, LMFT, New Hearts Outreach ministry, and their minor clients in the case.

US Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone wrote in her detailed Report and Recommendation that the Tampa Ordinance 2017-47 should be enjoined because the plaintiffs demonstrated that the law violates each and every test of the First Amendment. The plaintiffs demonstrated that the ordinance is unconstitutional because it is (1) a content restriction that is not narrowly tailored; (2) a viewpoint discrimination; (3) unconstitutionally overbroad; (4) a prior restraint; and (5) unconstitutionally vague.

As CBN News reported, the conservative advocacy group filed a lawsuit in December of 2017 after the Tampa City Council voted unanimously to approve the ban. Therapists found to be in violation would be fined up to $1,000, while repeat offenders could face a $5,000 penalty.

Liberty Counsel argued that the City never considered less restrictive alternative means, such as voluntary versus non-voluntary counseling, informed consent, and talk therapy versus other (no longer used) techniques. The counselors engage in talk therapy with those who voluntarily seek counsel and only with informed consent.

The City representative testified under oath that the officials had no idea between the different forms of counseling. Liberty Counsel presented evidence that so-called "aversive" therapy or "electroshock" has not been practiced for decades. The counselors only engage in talk therapy, and the City admitted that talk therapy was banned under the ordinance.

The Magistrate's Report and Recommendation now goes before the federal District Judge for final consideration.

"The city of Tampa has no authority to prohibit counselors from providing counsel which their clients seek. Our counseling clients engage in 'talk therapy,' which is the common practice of counselors. This well-reasoned opinion underscores the serious First Amendment violations of laws that dictate what a counselor and client may discuss in the privacy of their counseling session," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel in a press release.

"The government has no business eavesdropping inside the counseling session between a counselor and client."

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Skeptical Doctor Shocked After Blind Son's Miracle Healing, Husband's Near-Death Experience

Louisiana Pastor Sues Library After Being Fired over Preferred Pronouns

Trans Athletes Drop Challenge to New Hampshire Women's Sports Law

30,000 'Trojan Horses': Europe and Britain Face Muslim Domination and Escalating Threat of Civil War

Consumer Prices See Steepest Monthly DECLINE in More Than Six Years in June

Documents Reveal: Democrat Special Counsel Jack Smith Spied on, Lied to Congress

The Deal Ensuring Conservatives' Border Security and SAVE America Act

Speaker Mike Johnson Issues Serious Warning About Communism and the DSA: 'This is Not a Game' (VIDEO)

Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'God Is Everything for Me'

More Arson? Investigators Sift Through Ashes at Landmark 173-Year-Old Church Searching for Clues

Shocking Survey: More than Two-Thirds of Gen-Z Don't Know What America 250 Commemorates (Video)

US House to Vote on Bill Making Daylight Savings Time Permanent

What to Know About Darline Nordone, Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Fill His Seat

Amid Renewed War against Iran's Islamic Regime, the Country's People Once Again Take to the Streets in Anti-government Protests

US Pounds Iranian Targets After Blockade Reimposed; Trump Scraps 20% Fee for Trade Deals

'Abundant Life': Study Finds Bible-Reading Is Better Self-Care Than Exercise

A New Low: Doctors Are Now Making the Case for Death by Organ Donation

Trump Administration Launches Anti-Predator Initiative for Schools K-12

US Targeting Islamic Republic Army Bases, Strikes IRGC Nuclear Town; People of Iran React to Sen. Graham's Death

Cause of Death Revealed for Lindsey Graham, Pro-Life Champion and Strong Defender of Israel