Text of DC B 200501 (2014)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ~~ Councilmember~h A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Council member Mary M. Cheh introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on ~________ To amend the Mental Health Service Delivery Reform Act of 2001 to prohibit the use of practices designed to change the sexual orientation of a minor by a licensed mental health provider. BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 25 act may be cited as the "Conversion Therapy for Minors Prohibition Amendment Act of 2013". 26 Sec. 2. The Mental Health Service Delivery Reform Act of2001, effective December 18, 27 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code § 7-1231.01 et seq.), is amended as follows: 28 (a) Section 202 (D.C. Official Code § 7-1231.02) is amended by adding a new paragraph 29 25A to read as follows: 30 H(25A) "Sexual orientation change efforts" means a practice by a provider that 31 seeks to change a person's sexual orientation, including efforts to change behaviors, gender 32 identity or expression, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward 33 a person of the same sex or gender; provided, that sexual orientation change efforts shall not 34 include counseling for a person seeking to transition from one gender to another, or counseling 35 that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person's coping, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices in a manner that does not seek to change a person's sexual orientation.". (b) A new section 214a (D.C. Official Code 7-1231.14a) is added to read as follows: "Sec. 214a. Prohibition on sexual orientation change efforts for minors. "(a) A provider shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual who is under the age of 18 years. "(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered unacceptable conduct within the mental health profession and shall subject a provider to discipline and penalties set forth in section 514(c) of the District of Columbia Health Occupation Revision Act of 1985, effective March 26, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3­ 1205.14).". Sec. 3. The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602( c )(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24,1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-106.02(c)(3». Sec. 4. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602( c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24,1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1», and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL AN ACT ____________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ___________________________ To amend the Mental Health Service Delivery Reform Act of 2001 to prohibit the use of practices designed to change the sexual orientation of a minor by a licensed mental health provider. BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the “Conversion Therapy for Minors Prohibition Amendment Act of 2014”. Sec. 2. Title II of the Mental Health Service Delivery Reform Act of 2001, effective December 18, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code § 7-1231.01 et seq.), is amended as follows: (a) Section 202 (D.C. Official Code § 7-1231.02) is amended by adding a new paragraph (25A) to read as follows: “(25A) “Sexual orientation change efforts” means a practice by a provider that seeks to change a consumer’s sexual orientation, including efforts to change behaviors, gender identity or expression, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same sex or gender; provided, that the term “sexual orientation change efforts” shall not include counseling for a consumer seeking to transition from one gender to another, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a consumer or facilitates a consumer’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices in a manner that does not seek to change a consumer’s sexual orientation.”. (b) A new section 214a is added to read as follows: “Sec. 214a. Prohibition on sexual orientation change efforts for minors. “(a) A provider shall not engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a consumer who is a minor. “(b) A violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be considered a failure to conform to acceptable conduct within the mental health profession under section 514(a)(26) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6- 99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.14(a)(26)), and shall subject a provider to discipline and penalties under section 514(c) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.14(c)).”. 1 ENROLLED ORIGINAL Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(3)). Sec. 4. Effective date. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register. ________________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia ____________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 2