Conversion therapy; prohibited. (SB267)

Introduced By

Sen. Roz Dance (D-Petersburg) with support from co-patrons Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington), Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond), and Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Springfield)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Conversion therapy prohibited. Prohibits any health care provider or person who performs counseling as part of his training for any profession licensed by a regulatory board of the Department of Health Professions from engaging in conversion therapy with any person under 18 years of age. The bill defines "conversion therapy" as 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 assistance to a person undergoing gender transition, 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 individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/06/2016Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16101580D
01/06/2016Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/21/2016Assigned Education sub: Health Professions
01/26/2016Impact statement from VDH (SB267)
01/28/2016Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (8-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

ACLU-VA LGBT Rights, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU supports this bill.

Equality Virginia, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

Equality Virginia supports this bill.