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Published on Jun 12, 2017 The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony today on two identical bills that would interfere with the rights of children to receive counseling for unwanted sexual feelings or gender confusion. Senate Bill 62 and House Bill 1190, both titled “An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors,” were opposed by a number of mental health professionals, pastoral counselors and individuals who have been greatly helped by the very type of counseling these bills would ban. The legislation in question would prohibit licensed mental health professionals from practicing what it refers to as “sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts,” on persons under 18 years of age. Opponents of the bills argue that this language is extremely broad and violates the rights of patients and therapists to pursue desired treatment. For example, the proposed legislation would ban even “efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions.” Back to the Pioneer Truth Project Main Page |