SUMMARY:  LC 37 2044 ER

Prohibits persons licensed to provide professional counseling from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age.

Sexual orientation change efforts is defined as the practice of seeking to change a person's sexual orientation, including efforts to change sexual behavior, gender identity, or gender expression, or to reduce of eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward persons of the same gender.

The definition does not include counseling for a person seeking to transition from one gender to another or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, or does not seek to change sexual orientation. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Upon approval by the General Assembly and Governor.