An Erie County, New York lawmaker has proposed a bill that would prohibit therapies that attempt to alter the sexuality or gender identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth (LGBT).

The bill, introduced last week by Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke, is named the “Prevention of Emotional Neglect and Childhood Endangerment” or PENCE, a reference to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who supports public funding for such therapies.

Burke described such therapies, often called conversion or ex-gay therapy, as a form of child abuse.

“The overwhelming evidence says that inflicting this phony therapy on children and adolescents isn't just medically ineffective, but it is detrimental to a child's wellbeing,” Burke told Buffalo ABC affiliate WKBW. “It is time to call this practice what it is, abuse. Kids are exceptionally effectible, and the last thing an LGBTQ+ child needs is to be told that the way they were born is wrong and must be changed.”

Debate on the bill is expected to begin next month.

An executive order signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo prohibits insurance reimbursements for such therapies.