CaliforniaCalifornia would bar licensed mental health providers from steering minors toward a set gender identity during mental health care
California's signed law would extend the existing ban to licensed mental health providers who try to steer minors toward a set gender identity during mental health care.
What it does
Licensed mental health providers would be barred from steering patients under 18 toward a set gender identity during mental health care, including by suppressing their identity or expression. Attempts would bring licensing discipline.
The ban would exclude nondirective therapy that helps minors explore identity without seeking a set sexual orientation or gender identity outcome. It would also exclude age-appropriate help with unsafe or unlawful acts that steers neither trait, and counseling or other supportive services that follow care standards and respect the patient's own gender identity.
Argument forMinors might avoid treatment aimed at suppressing their gender identity because licensed mental health providers would face discipline for attempting it.
Argument againstSome licensed providers might avoid helping minors explore identity if they fear discipline for crossing the line between nondirective therapy and steering toward a set outcome.
More detail
California would bar licensed mental health providers from trying to steer minors toward a set gender identity during mental health care. The change covers patients under 18 who receive mental health services from licensed providers. The provider must seek a set gender identity outcome. Efforts to suppress or limit a patient's gender identity or expression are included. Attempts would count as unprofessional conduct and subject the provider to licensing discipline.
California would keep certain therapy and support outside its definition of change efforts. These exclusions limit the ban on licensed mental health providers treating patients under 18. Nondirective therapy must help patients cope, explore identity, or understand themselves without seeking a set sexual orientation or gender identity outcome. Help with unsafe or unlawful acts must fit the patient's age and avoid steering either trait. Counseling, talk therapy, or other supportive services must follow care standards and respect the patient's own gender identity.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 26Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 469, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 26Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 27Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 20Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 9. Page 5577.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB934 Wiener et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Vote recorded SB 934 Wiener Senate Third Reading By Ward. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 58. Noes 18. Page 6267.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jun 9From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 9Coauthors revised.
- Jun 3From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- May 26Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- May 20In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- May 19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 4356.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB934 Wiener et al. Result: pass.Upper
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 4257.) (May 14).Major
- May 8Set for hearing May 14.
- Apr 20April 20 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 10Set for hearing April 20.
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 2. Page 3757.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 2Set for hearing April 7.
- Mar 25Re-referred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.Minor
- Mar 19From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.Major
- Feb 11Referred to Com. on RLS.Minor
- Jan 30From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 1.
- Jan 29Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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