Maryland governor signs bill banning conversion therapy for LGBT minors News
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Maryland governor signs bill banning conversion therapy for LGBT minors

[JURIST] Maryland Governor Larry Hogan [official website] signed [press release, PDF] a bill on Tuesday that will ban conversion therapy from being practiced on LGBT minors.

SB 1028 [text] defines conversion therapy as “a practice or treatment by a mental health or child care practitioner that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Conversion therapy is now defined as “unprofessional conduct” and health care practitioners could be subjected to disciplinary action.

The bill was introduced in the Senate last February, where it passed [JURIST report] almost two months later with a 34-12 vote. The bill then moved to Maryland’s lower house, where it passed [JURIST report] with a 95-27 vote at the beginning of April.

According to The Hill, 10 other states plus Washington, DC, have already banned [report] conversion therapy on minors. New Jersey and Hawaii have passed similar bills, but the bills have not yet been signed.

Also in Maryland a federal judge ruled [JURIST report] last March that a Maryland transgender student may use the restrooms and locker rooms that align best with his gender identity.