Vetoed by Governor Paul LePage

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits therapists from performing conversion therapy on individuals under the age of 18.

Highlights:

• Prohibits advertising or administering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that “talk therapy” is not considered conversion therapy (Sec. 1).

• Defines conversion therapy as “any aversive practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “aversive practice or treatment” as that which is intended to induce changes in behavior through unpleasant stimuli or punishment (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any violation of this is grounds for revocation, suspension, or restriction of a professional license to practice medicine or other disciplinary action (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that evidence that an individual has administered conversion therapy to a minor is grounds for denial of a certificate or license to practice psychology or counseling at a school (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass with amendment a bill that prohibits therapists from performing conversion therapy on individuals under the age of 18.

Highlights:

• Prohibits advertising or administering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that “talk therapy” is not considered conversion therapy (Sec. 1).

• Defines conversion therapy as “any aversive practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “aversive practice or treatment” as that which is intended to induce changes in behavior through unpleasant stimuli or punishment (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any violation of this is grounds for revocation, suspension, or restriction of a professional license to practice medicine or other disciplinary action (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that evidence that an individual has administered conversion therapy to a minor is grounds for denial of a certificate or license to practice psychology or counseling at a school (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits therapists from performing conversion therapy on individuals under the age of 18.

Highlights:

• Prohibits advertising or administering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this prohibition does not apply to the activities and services of any priest, rabbi, member of the clergy, or minister, so long as they do not do it in exchange for money (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the following are not considered conversion therapy (Sec. 1):

• Counseling or treatment intended to assist with a gender transition;

• Counseling intended to provide acceptance, support and understanding; and

• Counseling intended to facilitate the individual's coping, social support, or identity exploration and development.

• Specifies that any violation of this is grounds for revocation, suspension, or restriction of a professional license to practice medicine or other disciplinary action (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that evidence that an individual has administered conversion therapy to a minor is grounds for denial of a certificate or license to practice psychology or counseling at a school (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text