Text of RI S 2510 (2014)

2014 -- S 2510 ======== LC004692 ======== S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - CHILDREN Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Satchell, Miller, Cool Rumsey, and Goldin Date Introduced: February 27, 2014 Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby 1 amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2 CHAPTER 93 3 PREVENTION OF CONVERSION THERAPY FOR CHILDREN 4 23-93-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Prevention 5 of Conversion therapy for Children Act". 6 23-93-2. Definitions. – As used in this chapter: 7 (1) "Licensed professional" means any licensed medical, mental health, or human service 8 professional licensed pursuant to title 5 of the Rhode Island general laws including, but not 9 limited to, any psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, mental health professional, human 10 services professional, marriage and family therapist, rehabilitation counselor, mental health 11 counselor, social worker, occupational therapist, or any other person licensed as a health or 12 human service professional under any provisions of the general law, rule or regulation to the 13 contrary. 14 (2) "Sexual orientation" and "gender identity change efforts" means any practice by any 15 licensed professional that seeks or purports to impose change of an individual's sexual orientation 16 or gender identity. 17 (i) "Sexual orientation" and "gender identity change efforts" includes practices which 18 attempt or purport to change behavioral expression of an individual's sexual orientation or gender 19 LC004692 - Page 2 of 3 identity or attempt or purport to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings 1 toward individuals of the same sex; and 2 (ii) "Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts" shall not include practices 3 which: 4 (A) Provide acceptance, support, and understanding of an individual's sexual orientation, 5 gender identity, or gender expression and the facilitation of an individual's coping, social support, 6 and identity exploration and development, including interventions to prevent or address unlawful 7 conduct or unsafe sexual practices; or 8 (B) Provide acceptance, support, or understanding of an individual's gender expression or 9 the facilitation of an individual's coping, social support, and identity exploration and 10 development. 11 23-93-3. Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts for minors 12 prohibited. – No licensed professional shall advertise for or engage in sexual orientation and/or 13 gender identity change efforts with or relating to a patient(s) under the age of eighteen (18) years. 14 23-93-4. Disciplinary actions. – (a) Any person who violates the provisions of this 15 chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for a first violation. A 16 second (2nd) violation of this chapter shall authorize the director of the department of health to 17 impose a five hundred dollar ($500) fine and suspend the license of the licensed professional. 18 Any third (3rd) or subsequent violation shall result in a five hundred dollar ($500) fine and/or 19 permanent revocation of the licensed professional's license. 20 (b) The director may assess against the professional, the administrative costs of the 21 proceedings instituted against him or her under this chapter; provided, that this assessment does 22 not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000); 23 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 24 ======== LC004692 ======== LC004692 - Page 3 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - CHILDREN *** This act would prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts by licensed 1 health care professionals with respect to children under eighteen (18) years of age. Violations of 2 this act would subject the health care professional to disciplinary action and/or suspension and 3 revocation of the license by the director of the department of health. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. 5 ======== LC004692 ========