The Youth Mental Health Protection Act, which prohibits therapy claiming to 'cure' homosexuality for minors, passed the House Human Services Committee March 26 by a vote of 9-6 and is on its way to the House floor.
HB5569, introduced in the House Feb. 14 by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, forbids mental health providers from engaging in practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation of a person under the age of 18. It also says that any provider engaging in such efforts will be subject to action from their local licensing entity or disciplinary board, as will any provider making a referral for those purposes.
"This bill would ensure that the most vulnerable individuals, those already struggling in the face of homophobia and transphobia, are not targeted and subjected to a practice that medical practitioners deem harmful and inappropriate," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, in a statement.
A similar bill has been introduced in the Illinois Senate by state Sen. William Delgado. Cassidy told Windy City Times in February that she and Delgado were "looking for a way to marry" the two bills.
So-called 'conversion' therapy has been discredited in numerous mental health circles and has been banned in California and New Jersey.
