Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits sexual orientation change psychotherapy for patients under the age of 18.

Highlights:

• Prohibits mental health providers from conducting “sexual orientation change efforts” on patients under the age of 18 (Sec. 2).

• Defines “mental health provider” as including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
• A physician or surgeon specializing in the practice of psychiatry;
• A psychologist assistant, intern, or trainee;
• A licensed marriage and family therapist; or
• A licensed clinical social worker.

• Defines “sexual orientation change efforts” as any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individual’s orientation, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings towards individuals of the same sex (Sec. 2).

• Exempts the following types of psychotherapy from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2):
• Therapy that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of the patient;
• Therapy that facilitates a patient’s coping, social support and identity exploration, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to address unlawful or unsafe sexual practices; or
• Any other type of therapy that does not seek to change sexual orientation.

• Requires any mental health provider who violates the provisions of this bill to be subject to disciplinary action by that provider’s licensing entity (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits sexual orientation change psychotherapy for patients under the age of 18.

Highlights:

• Prohibits mental health providers from conducting “sexual orientation change efforts” on patients under the age of 18 (Sec. 2).

• Defines “mental health provider” as including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
• A physician or surgeon specializing in the practice of psychiatry;
• A psychologist assistant, intern, or trainee;
• A licensed marriage and family therapist; or
• A licensed clinical social worker.

• Defines “sexual orientation change efforts” as any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individual’s orientation, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings towards individuals of the same sex (Sec. 2).

• Exempts the following types of psychotherapy from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2):
• Therapy that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of the patient;
• Therapy that facilitates a patient’s coping, social support and identity exploration, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to address unlawful or unsafe sexual practices; or
• Any other type of therapy that does not seek to change sexual orientation.

• Requires any mental health provider who violates the provisions of this bill to be subject to disciplinary action by that provider’s licensing entity (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits sexual orientation change therapy for patients under the age of 18, regardless of consent.

Highlights:

• Prohibits mental health providers from providing “sexual orientation change therapy” to patients under the age of 18, regardless of consent by the patient, patient's parent, guardian, conservator, or  any other authorized persons (Sec. 2).

• Defines “sexual orientation change therapy” as practices by mental health providers that seek to change a person's orientation or reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions, feelings, or behaviors towards those of a particular sex or both sexes (Sec. 2).

• Exempts therapy with the intent to provide support, acceptance, and understanding of patients' identity development from the definition of “sexual orientation change therapy” (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes minors age 12 and older to consent to therapy and counseling services so as long as it is not sexual orientation change therapy (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text