HF 1906

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 01:39pm

A bill for an act
relating to health professionals; prohibiting sexual orientation change efforts with
children; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 214.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [214.077] SEXUAL ORIENTATION CHANGE EFFORTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Provider" means a person licensed by the Board of Medical Practice created
pursuant to section 147.01, the Board of Nursing created pursuant to section 148.181,
the Board of Psychology created pursuant to section 148.90, the Board of Social Work
created pursuant to section 148E.025, the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy created
pursuant to section 148B.30, or the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy created
pursuant to section 148B.51.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Sexual orientation change efforts" means any practices by a provider that seek
to change an individual's sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or
gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings
toward individuals of the same sex. Sexual orientation change efforts do not include
counseling that provides assistance to a person seeking to transition from one gender to
another, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or
facilitates a client's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development,
including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct
or unsafe sexual practices so long as such counseling does not seek to change sexual
orientation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) No provider shall engage in sexual orientation change
efforts with a client under 18 years of age.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any sexual orientation change efforts attempted by a provider with a client
under 18 years of age shall be unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to disciplinary
action by the provider's licensing board.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end