SB 481

This bill prohibits a mental health provider, as defined in the bill, from

engaging in any practice that seeks to change a child's sexual orientation, including

an effort to change behaviors, gender identity, or gender expression or an effort to

eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of

the same sex. The prohibition created in the bill does not apply to counseling for an

individual seeking to transition from one gender to another or to psychotherapy that

provides acceptance, support, or understanding of a client or the facilitation of a

client's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development and that

does not seek to change sexual orientation. A mental health provider who violates

the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.