Summary: This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.
ANGIE CRAIG’S POSITION: Representative Craig co-sponsored the bill on 08/07/20.
STATUS: Introduced 6/27/19 by Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE BILL:
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Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) introduced the “Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2019”, which bans LGBTQ conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, which fraudulently seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been recognized by the national community of professionals in education, social work, health, and counseling as both dangerous and useless. Rep. Lieu authored the first ban on youth conversion therapy in the nation as a California State Senator and has introduced federal bans in the 114th and 115th Congresses. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Senate companion bill today.
Upon introduction, Rep. Lieu said:
“Conversion therapy is a fraudulent practice based on the prejudiced belief that someone can or should change their sexual orientation or gender identity. It inflicts immeasurable harm on those subjected to it, and turns a profit for scammers posing as mental health professionals.
“When I introduced and passed the nation’s first youth conversion therapy ban as a State Senator, I never imagined the momentum we would have to change laws on conversion therapy around the country. Now 17 other states join California in having laws on the books banning the practice. It is a credit to the survivors and advocacy groups who have worked tirelessly to change minds and legislation. Thanks to their work, 10,000 LGBTQ children have been spared from experiencing the harms of conversion therapy. Now it’s time to end this scam in all states and pass a federal ban.”
Upon introduction, Sen. Murray said:
“Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-conforming is not a mental illness to be cured and should never be treated as such. Conversation therapy is a sham—according to medicine and common sense—and is incredibly discriminatory and harmful towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially children who already face increased harassment and discrimination. While I’m proud of the example my home state of Washington modeled in banning conversion therapy years ago, we cannot rest until this despicable practice is banished to the dustbin of history across the nation. I am proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community against conversion therapy, and looking forward to working with Senator Booker and Representative Lieu to get this important legislation signed into law.”
Upon introduction, Sen. Booker said:
“This so-called therapy is harmful, especially to children. Our legislation will remove any question that the FTC and State Attorneys General have the tools they need to classify conversion therapy as what it is – fraud – and ban its use. Conversion therapy is a discredited, harmful practice that has been rejected by countless medical and mental health organizations for years. It has no place in our society.”
(Source: Rep. Ted Lieu Press Release, 06/27/19)
ADDITIONAL DETAIL:
Link to the text of the bill.
Link to bill information (support and opposition) on Countable.
Link to bill information on GovTrack.