Text of IL HB 217 (2015)

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2015 and 2016 HB0217 Introduced , by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act Creates the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act. Defines "mental health provider" and "sexual orientation change efforts". Provides that no mental health provider shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. Further provides that any sexual orientation change effort attempted on a person under the age of 18 by a mental health provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and that a mental health provider found to have engaged in a sexual orientation change effort shall be disciplined by the licensing entity or disciplinary review board with competent jurisdiction. LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b A BILL FOR HB0217LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 AN ACT concerning regulation. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Youth 5Mental Health Protection Act. 6 Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly 7finds and declares the following: 8 (1) Being lesbian, gay, or bisexual is not a disease, 9 disorder, illness, deficiency, or shortcoming. The major 10 professional associations of mental health practitioners 11 and researchers in the United States have recognized this 12 fact for nearly 40 years. 13 (2) The American Psychological Association convened a 14 Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual 15 Orientation. The Task Force conducted a systematic review 16 of peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation 17 change efforts and issued a report in 2009. The Task Force 18 concluded that sexual orientation change efforts can pose 19 critical health risks to lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, 20 including confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, 21 hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, suicidality, 22 substance abuse, stress, disappointment, self-blame, 23 decreased self-esteem and authenticity to others, HB0217- 2 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 increased self-hatred, hostility and blame towards 2 parents, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends 3 and potential romantic partners, problems in sexual and 4 emotional intimacy, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual 5 behaviors, a feeling of being dehumanized and untrue to 6 self, a loss of faith, and a sense of having wasted time 7 and resources. 8 (3) The American Psychological Association issued a 9 resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual 10 Orientation Distress and Change Efforts in 2009 that 11 states: "The [American Psychological Association] advises 12 parents, guardians, young people, and their families to 13 avoid sexual orientation change efforts that portray 14 homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental 15 disorder and to seek psychotherapy, social support, and 16 educational services that provide accurate information on 17 sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and 18 school support, and reduce rejection of sexual minority 19 youth.". 20 (4) The American Psychiatric Association published a 21 position statement in March of 2000 that states: 22 "Psychotherapeutic modalities to convert or 'repair' 23 homosexuality are based on developmental theories whose 24 scientific validity is questionable. Furthermore, 25 anecdotal reports of 'cures' are counterbalanced by 26 anecdotal claims of psychological harm. In the last four HB0217- 3 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 decades, 'reparative' therapists have not produced any 2 rigorous scientific research to substantiate their claims 3 of cure. Until there is such research available, (the 4 American Psychiatric Association) recommends that ethical 5 practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals' 6 sexual orientation, keeping in mind the medical dictum to 7 first, do no harm. The potential risks of reparative 8 therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and 9 self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with 10 societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce 11 self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many 12 patients who have undergone reparative therapy relate that 13 they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, 14 unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or 15 satisfaction. The possibility that the person might 16 achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal 17 relationships as a gay man or lesbian is not presented, nor 18 are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of 19 societal stigmatization discussed. Therefore, the American 20 Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment 21 such as reparative or conversion therapy which is based 22 upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental 23 disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a 24 patient should change his or her sexual homosexual 25 orientation.". 26 (5) The American Academy of Pediatrics published an HB0217- 4 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 article in 1993 in its journal, Pediatrics, that states: 2 "Therapy directed at specifically changing sexual 3 orientation is contraindicated, since it can provoke guilt 4 and anxiety while having little or no potential for 5 achieving changes in orientation.". 6 (6) The American Medical Association Council on 7 Scientific Affairs prepared a report in 1994 that states: 8 "Aversion therapy (a behavioral or medical intervention 9 which pairs unwanted behavior, in this case, homosexual 10 behavior, with unpleasant sensations or aversive 11 consequences) is no longer recommended for gay men and 12 lesbians. Through psychotherapy, gay men and lesbians can 13 become comfortable with their sexual orientation and 14 understand the societal response to it.". 15 (7) The National Association of Social Workers 16 prepared a policy statement in 1997 that states: "Social 17 stigmatization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people is 18 widespread and is a primary motivating factor in leading 19 some people to seek sexual orientation changes. Sexual 20 orientation conversion therapies assume that homosexual 21 orientation is both pathological and freely chosen. No data 22 demonstrates that reparative or conversion therapies are 23 effective, and, in fact, they may be harmful.". 24 (8) The American Counseling Association Governing 25 Council issued a position statement in April, 1999 that 26 states: "We oppose the promotion of "reparative therapy" as HB0217- 5 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 a "cure" for individuals who are homosexual.". 2 (9) The American Psychoanalytic Association issued a 3 position statement in June, 2012 on attempts to change 4 sexual orientation, gender, identity, or gender expression 5 that states: "As with any societal prejudice, bias against 6 individuals based on actual or perceived sexual 7 orientation, gender identity or gender expression 8 negatively affects mental health, contributing to an 9 enduring sense of stigma and pervasive self-criticism 10 through the internalization of such prejudice. 11 Psychoanalytic technique does not encompass purposeful 12 attempts to 'convert,' 'repair,' change or shift an 13 individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender 14 expression. Such directed efforts are against fundamental 15 principles of psychoanalytic treatment and often result in 16 substantial psychological pain by reinforcing damaging 17 internalized attitudes.". 18 (10) The American Academy of Child and Adolescent 19 Psychiatry published an article in 2012 in its journal, 20 Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent 21 Psychiatry, that states: "Clinicians should be aware that 22 there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be altered 23 through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful. 24 There is no empirical evidence adult homosexuality can be 25 prevented if gender nonconforming children are influenced 26 to be more gender conforming. Indeed, there is no medically HB0217- 6 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 valid basis for attempting to prevent homosexuality, which 2 is not an illness. On the contrary, such efforts may 3 encourage family rejection and undermine self-esteem, 4 connectedness and caring, important protective factors 5 against suicidal ideation and attempts. Given that there is 6 no evidence that efforts to alter sexual orientation are 7 effective, beneficial or necessary, and the possibility 8 that they carry the risk of significant harm, such 9 interventions are contraindicated.". 10 (11) The Pan American Health Organization, a regional 11 office of the World Health Organization, issued a statement 12 in May, 2012 that states: "These supposed conversion 13 therapies constitute a violation of the ethical principles 14 of health care and violate human rights that are protected 15 by international and regional agreements.". The 16 organization also noted that reparative therapies "lack 17 medical justification and represent a serious threat to the 18 health and well-being of affected people.". 19 (12) Minors who experience family rejection based on 20 their sexual orientation face especially serious health 21 risks. In one study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young 22 adults who reported higher levels of family rejection 23 during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report 24 having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report 25 high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use 26 illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having HB0217- 7 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with 2 peers from families that reported no or low levels of 3 family rejection. This is documented by Caitlin Ryan et al. 4 in their article entitled Family Rejection as a Predictor 5 of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, 6 Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults (2009), 123 Pediatrics 346. 7 (13) Illinois has a compelling interest in protecting 8 the physical and psychological well-being of minors, 9 including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth 10 and in protecting its minors against exposure to serious 11 harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts. 12 Section 10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to protect 13lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from sexual 14orientation change efforts, also known as conversion therapy. 15 Section 15. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act: 16 "Mental health provider" means a clinical psychologist 17licensed under the Clinical Psychology Licensing Act; a school 18psychologist as defined in the School Code; a psychiatrist as 19defined in Section 1-121 of the Mental Health and Developmental 20Disabilities Code; a clinical social worker or social worker 21licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work 22Practice Act; a marriage and family therapist or associate 23marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and 24Family Therapy Licensing Act; a professional counselor or HB0217- 8 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1clinical professional counselor licensed under the 2Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor 3Licensing and Practice Act; or any students, interns, 4volunteers, or other persons assisting or acting under the 5direction or guidance of any of these licensed professionals. 6 "Sexual orientation change efforts" or "conversion 7therapy" means any practices or treatments that seek to change 8an individual's sexual orientation, as defined by subsection 9(o-1) of Section 1-103 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, 10including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or 11to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or 12feelings towards individuals of the same sex. "Sexual 13orientation change efforts" or "conversion therapy" does not 14include counseling or mental health services that provide 15acceptance, support, and understanding of a person without 16seeking to change sexual orientation or mental health services 17that facilitate a person's coping, social support, and gender 18identity exploration and development, including sexual 19orientation neutral interventions to prevent or address 20unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without seeking to 21change sexual orientation. 22 Section 20. Prohibition on conversion therapy. Under no 23circumstances shall a mental health provider engage in sexual 24orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. HB0217- 9 -LRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b 1 Section 25. Referral services related to conversion 2therapy. Under no circumstances shall a mental health provider 3refer any current or former client or patient to any 4individual, within Illinois or within any other state, for the 5purpose of engaging in sexual orientation change efforts. This 6prohibition includes referrals to any individual practicing or 7engaging in sexual orientation change efforts in person or by 8telephone, electronic communication, or any other form of 9direct or indirect communication with a client or patient. 10 Section 30. Discipline. Any sexual orientation change 11efforts attempted on a person under the age of 18 by a mental 12health provider or any referral made by a mental health 13provider to a third party practicing sexual orientation change 14efforts shall be considered unprofessional conduct. Mental 15health providers found to have engaged in a sexual orientation 16change effort or found to have referred a current or former 17client or patient under the age of 18 to an individual for the 18purpose of engaging in sexual orientation change efforts shall 19be subject to discipline by the licensing entity or 20disciplinary review board with competent jurisdiction.

Public Act 099-0411 HB0217 EnrolledLRB099 04356 HAF 24383 b AN ACT concerning regulation. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Youth Mental Health Protection Act. Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds and declares the following: (1) Being lesbian, gay, or bisexual is not a disease, disorder, illness, deficiency, or shortcoming. The major professional associations of mental health practitioners and researchers in the United States have recognized this fact for nearly 40 years. (2) The American Psychological Association convened a Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. The Task Force conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts and issued a report in 2009. The Task Force concluded that sexual orientation change efforts can pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, including confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, suicidality, substance abuse, stress, disappointment, self-blame, decreased self-esteem and authenticity to others, increased self-hatred, hostility and blame towards parents, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends and potential romantic partners, problems in sexual and emotional intimacy, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual behaviors, a feeling of being dehumanized and untrue to self, a loss of faith, and a sense of having wasted time and resources. (3) The American Psychological Association issued a resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts in 2009 that states: "The American Psychological Association advises parents, guardians, young people, and their families to avoid sexual orientation change efforts that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and to seek psychotherapy, social support, and educational services that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support, and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth.". (4) The American Psychiatric Association published a position statement in March of 2000 that states: "Psychotherapeutic modalities to convert or 'repair' homosexuality are based on developmental theories whose scientific validity is questionable. Furthermore, anecdotal reports of 'cures' are counterbalanced by anecdotal claims of psychological harm. In the last four decades, 'reparative' therapists have not produced any rigorous scientific research to substantiate their claims of cure. Until there is such research available, the American Psychiatric Association recommends that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals' sexual orientation, keeping in mind the medical dictum to first, do no harm. The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone reparative therapy relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction. The possibility that the person might achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal relationships as a gay man or lesbian is not presented, nor are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of societal stigmatization discussed. Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment such as reparative or conversion therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a patient should change his or her sexual homosexual orientation.". (5) The American Academy of Pediatrics published an article in 1993 in its journal, Pediatrics, that states: "Therapy directed at specifically changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, since it can provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation.". (6) The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs prepared a report in 1994 that states: "Aversion therapy (a behavioral or medical intervention which pairs unwanted behavior, in this case, homosexual behavior, with unpleasant sensations or aversive consequences) is no longer recommended for gay men and lesbians. Through psychotherapy, gay men and lesbians can become comfortable with their sexual orientation and understand the societal response to it.". (7) The National Association of Social Workers prepared a policy statement in 1997 that states: "Social stigmatization of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people is widespread and is a primary motivating factor in leading some people to seek sexual orientation changes. Sexual orientation conversion therapies assume that homosexual orientation is both pathological and freely chosen. No data demonstrates that reparative or conversion therapies are effective, and, in fact, they may be harmful.". (8) The American Counseling Association Governing Council issued a position statement in April, 1999 that states: "We oppose the promotion of 'reparative therapy' as a 'cure' for individuals who are homosexual.". (9) The American Psychoanalytic Association issued a position statement in June, 2012 on attempts to change sexual orientation, gender, identity, or gender expression that states: "As with any societal prejudice, bias against individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression negatively affects mental health, contributing to an enduring sense of stigma and pervasive self-criticism through the internalization of such prejudice. Psychoanalytic technique does not encompass purposeful attempts to 'convert', 'repair', change or shift an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Such directed efforts are against fundamental principles of psychoanalytic treatment and often result in substantial psychological pain by reinforcing damaging internalized attitudes.". (10) The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published an article in 2012 in its journal, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, that states: "Clinicians should be aware that there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be altered through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful. There is no empirical evidence adult homosexuality can be prevented if gender nonconforming children are influenced to be more gender conforming. Indeed, there is no medically valid basis for attempting to prevent homosexuality, which is not an illness. On the contrary, such efforts may encourage family rejection and undermine self-esteem, connectedness and caring, important protective factors against suicidal ideation and attempts. Given that there is no evidence that efforts to alter sexual orientation are effective, beneficial or necessary, and the possibility that they carry the risk of significant harm, such interventions are contraindicated.". (11) The Pan American Health Organization, a regional office of the World Health Organization, issued a statement in May, 2012 that states: "These supposed conversion therapies constitute a violation of the ethical principles of health care and violate human rights that are protected by international and regional agreements.". The organization also noted that reparative therapies "lack medical justification and represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.". (12) Minors who experience family rejection based on their sexual orientation face especially serious health risks. In one study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection. This is documented by Caitlin Ryan et al. in their article entitled Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults (2009), 123 Pediatrics 346. (13) Illinois has a compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and in protecting its minors against exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts. Section 10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from sexual orientation change efforts, also known as conversion therapy. Section 15. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act: "Mental health provider" means a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychology Licensing Act; a school psychologist as defined in the School Code; a psychiatrist as defined in Section 1-121 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code; a clinical social worker or social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act; a marriage and family therapist or associate marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act; a professional counselor or clinical professional counselor licensed under the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act; or any students, interns, volunteers, or other persons assisting or acting under the direction or guidance of any of these licensed professionals. "Sexual orientation change efforts" or "conversion therapy" means any practices or treatments that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation, as defined by subsection (o-1) of Section 1-103 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings towards individuals of the same sex. "Sexual orientation change efforts" or "conversion therapy" does not include counseling or mental health services that provide acceptance, support, and understanding of a person without seeking to change sexual orientation or mental health services that facilitate a person's coping, social support, and gender identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without seeking to change sexual orientation. Section 20. Prohibition on conversion therapy. Under no circumstances shall a mental health provider engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. Section 25. Advertisement and sales; misrepresentation. No person or entity may, in the conduct of any trade or commerce, use or employ any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, or the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact in advertising or otherwise offering conversion therapy services in a manner that represents homosexuality as a mental disease, disorder, or illness, with intent that others rely upon the concealment, suppression, or omission of such material fact. A violation of this Section constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Section 30. Discipline. Any sexual orientation change efforts attempted on a person under the age of 18 by a mental health provider may be considered unprofessional conduct. Mental health providers found to have engaged in a sexual orientation change effort on a patient under the age of 18 may be subject to discipline by the licensing entity or disciplinary review board with competent jurisdiction. Section 90. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by changing Section 2Z as follows: (815 ILCS 505/2Z) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z) Sec. 2Z. Violations of other Acts. Any person who knowingly violates the Automotive Repair Act, the Automotive Collision Repair Act, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, the Dance Studio Act, the Physical Fitness Services Act, the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act, the Illinois Union Label Act, the Job Referral and Job Listing Services Consumer Protection Act, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act, the Credit Services Organizations Act, the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act, the Pay-Per-Call Services Consumer Protection Act, the Telephone Solicitations Act, the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, the Cemetery Oversight Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Safe and Hygienic Bed Act, the Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act, the High Risk Home Loan Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Tax Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Electronic Mail Act, the Internet Caller Identification Act, paragraph (6) of subsection (k) of Section 6-305 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Section 11-1431, 18d-115, 18d-120, 18d-125, 18d-135, 18d-150, or 18d-153 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, the Automatic Contract Renewal Act, Section 25 of the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, or the Personal Information Protection Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.