AB 1161

This bill prohibits certain mental health providers from engaging in conversion

therapy with a minor. Conversion therapy is defined under the bill to mean any

intervention or method that has the purpose of attempting to change a person's

sexual orientation or gender identity, including any intervention or method that

attempts to change behaviors or expressions of self or to reduce sexual or romantic

attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. However, under the

bill, conversion therapy does not include counseling that assists an individual who

is seeking to undergo a gender transition or who is in the process of undergoing a

gender transition; counseling that provides a client with acceptance, support,

understanding, or counseling that facilitates a client's coping, social support, and

identity exploration or development; or counseling in the form of sexual

orientation-neutral or gender identity-neutral interventions provided for the

purpose of preventing or addressing unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, but

only if the counseling is not provided for the purpose of attempting to change the

client's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Under the bill, the Medical Examining Board, the Psychology Examining

Board, and the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social

Work Examining Board are required to investigate any allegation that any person

licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to practice by the respective boards has

violated the prohibition on performing conversion therapy. Upon a finding that the

holder of a license, certificate, or other authorization has violated the prohibition on

performing conversion therapy, the bill requires the applicable examining board to

limit, suspend, or revoke the person's license, certificate, or other authorization, or

any combination of the three.