Signed by Governor Susana Martinez

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits providing minors with a practice commonly referred to as "gay conversion therapy."

Highlights:

• Prohibits providing conversion therapy to any person under eighteen years of age in exchange for money (Sec. 1).

• Defines conversion therapy as any practice or treatment that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including any effort to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward persons of the same sex (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits advertising claims that a person is capable of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity or that conversion therapy is harmless or without risk (Sec 1.)

• Specifies that conversion therapy does not mean any of the following (Sec. 2):

• Counseling or mental health services that provide acceptance, support and understanding of a person without seeking to change gender identity or sexual orientation; or

• Mental health services that facilitate a person’s coping, social support, sexual orientation or gender identity exploration and development, including an intervention to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without seeking to change gender identity or sexual orientation.

• Defines gender identity as self-perception, or perception of that person by another, of the person's identity as a male or female based upon the person's appearance, behavior or physical characteristics that are in accord or opposed to the person's physical anatomy, chromosomal sex, or sex at birth (Sec. 2)

• Defines sexual orientation as heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, whether actual or perceived (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text