View Amendment Current Amendment: 12 to Bill 4624

Senator Devine proposes the following amendment (SMIN-4624.AA0114S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION X.  A. As used in this section, "conversion therapy" means any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. "Conversion therapy" does not include 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 individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.

B. No provider in this state whose services include counseling or any professional licensed in this state shall engage in conversion therapy with a person under 18 years of age. Any conversion therapy efforts with a person under 18 years of age shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the appropriate regulatory authority.