H 452 - Mental Health Protection Act Summary

• Prohibits licensed mental health professionals (clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, clinical mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists) from providing conversion therapy to minors under 18 years of age or adults with disabilities.

• Defines conversion therapy as any practices or treatments seeking to change sexual orientation or gender identity, but excludes counseling that supports gender transition or provides acceptance and identity exploration without attempting to change orientation or identity.

• Classifies conversion therapy provided by licensed professionals as unprofessional conduct subject to discipline under the respective licensing entity of the professional.

• Prohibits state funding, municipal funding, and funds from political subdivisions from being used to conduct conversion therapy, refer individuals for conversion therapy, provide health benefits coverage for conversion therapy, or fund entities that provide or refer for conversion therapy.

• Becomes effective upon enactment and applies to acts occurring on or after the effective date.