SB988: Sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.


SENATE BILL NO. 988
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health
on January 22, 2015
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Lucas)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.5, relating to sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts prohibited.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.5 as follows:

§ 54.1-2409.5. Sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.

No person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall engage in sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts with any person under 18 years of age. Any sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts with a person under 18 years of age engaged in by a provider licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the appropriate health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions. For the purpose of this section, "sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts" includes the provision of treatment, interventions, counseling, or services intended to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expressions. "Sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts" does not include treatment, interventions, counseling, or services provided to persons seeking to transition from one gender to another or that provide acceptance, social support, and identity exploration and development.

SENATE BILL NO. 988

Offered January 14, 2015
Prefiled January 12, 2015
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.5, relating to sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.
Patron-- Lucas

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.5 as follows:

§ 54.1-2409.5. Sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.

No person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with any person under 18 years of age. Any sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age engaged in by a provider licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the appropriate health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions. For the purpose of this section, "sexual orientation change efforts" includes the provision of treatment, interventions, counseling, or services intended to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expressions. "Sexual orientation change efforts" does not include treatment, interventions, counseling, or services provided to persons seeking to transition from one gender to another or that provide acceptance, social support, and identity exploration and development.