Maryland House passes LGBTQ law to protect youth from conversion therapy News
Maryland House passes LGBTQ law to protect youth from conversion therapy

Maryland’s House of Delegates [official website] passed a bill [text, PDF] on Wednesday banning the controversial practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth.

The Senate first considered the Youth Mental Health Protection Act [materials] in February and passed [JURIST report] it last week with a 34-12 vote. The bill then underwent several amendments before the House passed it with a 95-27 vote [bill history]. The four-page preamble sets forth several concerns the legislature considered in drafting the bill, including an explanation of the American Psychological Association’s [official website] study examining critical health risks resultant of conversion therapy. The bill specifically sets forth more than 28 health risks, including depression, sexual dysfunction, guilt, suicidal intentions and substance abuse.

The bill defines “conversion therapy” as “[a] practice or treatment by a medical health or child care practitioner that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity … any effort to change the behavioral expression of an individual’s sexual orientation, change gender expression, or eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.” However, conversion therapy does not include medical professionals engaging in certain counseling efforts.

Medical practitioners or child care practitioners who do engage in conversion therapy on a minor may be subject to discipline under the appropriate professional licensing or certifying board. The bill now awaits Governor Larry Hogan‘s [official website] signature.