Signed by Governor David Ige

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits conversion therapy.

Highlights:

• Prohibits all licensed professional counselors from advertising conversion therapy services, or engaging or attempting to engage in conversion therapy, a person under the age of 18 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any professional counselor who engages or attempts to engage in the offering of conversion therapy on a individual under the age of 18 shall be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate professional licensing authority (Sec. 1).

• Defines “conversion therapy” as the practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including effors to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that “conversion therapy” does not include counseling that provides assistance to a person undergoing gender transitions, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person, or facilitates a person’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individuals sexual orientation or gender identity (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text