FINAL BILL REPORT
SB 5722
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 300 L 18
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Restricting the practice of conversion therapy.
Sponsors: Senators Liias, Walsh, Ranker, Pedersen, Rivers, Keiser, Fain, Frockt, Hunt and Kuderer.
Senate Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care
House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Background: Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA). The UDA governs disciplinary actions for all credentialed health care providers. The UDA establishes sanctions for acts of unprofessional conduct and provides disciplinary procedures. Acts of unprofessional conduct may include malpractice, misuse of drugs or alcohol, betrayal of a practitioner-patient privilege, and misrepresentation or fraud related to the profession.
Disciplinary responsibilities are divided between the Secretary of Health and 16 disciplining authorities according to the individual health care provider's profession and relevant step in the disciplinary process. If a disciplining authority finds a provider has committed an act of unprofessional conduct, it may impose sanctions such as: license revocation or suspension, practice restrictions, mandatory remedial education or treatment, practice monitoring, censure or reprimand, probation conditions, or payment of a fine.
Summary: It is unprofessional conduct for a licensed health care provider to perform conversion therapy on a patient under the age of 18.
Conversion therapy means a regime that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. Conversion therapy does not include counseling or psychotherapies that provide acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or facilitation of client's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development that do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
The practice of non-licensed counselors acting under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or organization may not be construed to be unprofessional conduct.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 32 | 16 | |
House | 66 | 32 | (House amended) |
Senate | 33 | 16 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | June 7, 2018 |