Bill would ban paid efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity

Providers would be barred from giving paid conversion therapy, and paid helpers could not knowingly help provide it. The ban would cover people of any age and include efforts to change gender expression or reduce same-gender attraction. Payment includes money for an essential related product or service, unless that product or service is protected by the First Amendment. Gender transition assistance and supportive counseling are excluded when they do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

Advertisers would be barred from making these claims in ads for paid conversion therapy. Covered claims include changing sexual orientation or gender identity, reducing same-gender attraction, and saying the treatment is harmless or risk-free. Payment through essential related products or services counts unless those products or services are protected by the First Amendment. Gender transition assistance and supportive counseling are excluded when they do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the bans, and the U.S. attorney general and authorized state officials could bring civil lawsuits. State officials would need reason to believe a violation threatens or harms residents. They could not sue under this bill over the same violation against the same defendant while a Federal Trade Commission action is pending. Authorized state officials could still pursue cases under state law.