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2017 Senate Bill 5722: Restricting the practice of conversion therapy
Introduced by Sen. Marko Liias (Lynnwood) (D) on February 6, 2017
Referred to the Senate Health Care Committee on February 6, 2017
Referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee on January 8, 2018
Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on January 17, 2018
Amendment offered by Sen. Steve O'Ban (Pierce County) (R) on January 19, 2018
Provides that the intent of the bill is to regulate the professional conduct of licensed health care providers with respect to performing aversive mental health therapies on patients under the Code Rev/RB:eab 5 S-4099.1/18 age of 18. Prohibited aversive therapies are defined as procedures intending to cause physical pain, discomfort, or unpleasant sensations to a person, but does not call out sexual orientation change efforts as an example of prohibited aversive therapy. References to sexual orientation change efforts are removed from the bill.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the Senate on January 19, 2018
Amendment offered by Sen. Shelly Short (Addy) (R) on January 19, 2018
Excludes the provision of conversion therapy to a person age 13 or older who requests to receive therapy or to a person under 13 years old who receives authorized consent, from the definition of unprofessional conduct.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the Senate on January 19, 2018
Amendment offered by Sen. Shelly Short (Addy) (R) on January 19, 2018
Excludes counseling that provides support and understanding of identity exploration and development from the practice of conversion therapy, for purposes of defining unprofessional conduct for health care professionals.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the Senate on January 19, 2018
Received in the House on January 22, 2018
Referred to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on January 22, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Laurie Jinkins (Tacoma) (D) on February 28, 2018
Excludes from the definition of "conversion therapy" counseling or psychotherapies that provide acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or the facilitation of client's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development that do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Brad Klippert (Benton) (R) on February 28, 2018
Specifies that the definition of "conversion therapy" applies to regimes, practices, and treatments that are aversive or 14 coercive. Specifies that conversion therapy includes techniques such as ice baths, tying down individuals, the use of pornographic material, and electroconvulsive therapy conducted outside of medically accepted use. Eliminates the references to conversion therapy including practices referred to as "reparative therapy" or "conversion therapy.".
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Nicole Macri (Seattle) (D) on February 28, 2018
Relocates statements of legislative construction that state that the bill does not apply to (1) speech that does not constitute the performance of conversion therapy by a licensed health care provider on patients under 18, or (2) religious practices or counseling under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or organization that do not constitute the performance of conversion therapy by a licensed health care provider on patients under 18. Reestablishes the statements as an independent section of statutory construction. Adds to the independent statutory construction section that the bill may not be construed to apply to nonlicensed counselors acting under the auspices of a religious denomination or church.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2018
Amendment offered by Rep. Matt Shea (Spokane Valley) (R) on February 28, 2018
Adds nonlicensed counselors acting under religious organizations to the list of entities to which the act does not apply.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on February 28, 2018
Received in the Senate on March 3, 2018
Passed Legislature.
Signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on March 28, 2018