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AN ACT relating to conversion therapy. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
ď˘SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 216 IS CREATED TO 3
READ AS FOLLOWS: 4
(1) As used in this section: 5
(a) "Cabinet" means the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; 6
(b) 1. "Conversion therapy" means any practice, treatment, or intervention 7
that seeks or purports to change an individual's sexual orientation or 8
gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender 9
expression or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or 10
feelings towards individuals of the same gender. 11
2. "Conversion therapy" does not include any practice, treatment, or 12
intervention that: 13
a. Provides acceptance, support, or understanding to an individual, 14
or facilitates an individual's coping, social support, and identity 15
exploration and development, if the practice, treatment, or 16
intervention does not seek to change an individual's sexual 17
orientation or gender identity; 18
b. Is neutral with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity; 19
c. Seeks to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe 20
practices; or 21
d. Assists an individual who is seeking to undergo a gender 22
transition or is in the process of undergoing a gender transition; 23
and 24
(c) "Minor" means an individual under the age of eighteen (18). 25
(2) The cabinet shall take actions necessary to prohibit the direct or indirect use of 26
state and federal funds for the practice of conversion therapy on minors, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 337
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referring a minor for conversion therapy, or extending health benefits coverage 1
for conversion therapy with a minor. This prohibition includes but is not limited 2
to funding relating to the Kentucky Medical Assistance Program, Medicaid, the 3
Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program, child welfare services, and 4
juvenile justice programs. 5
(3) Any state agency that discovers or receives a report that a provider who is 6
certified or licensed to practice in the Commonwealth engages in conversion 7
therapy efforts with a minor or performs counseling on conversion therapy as 8
part of his or her training for any profession licensed under a professional 9
certification or licensing board within the Commonwealth shall report that 10
provider to the appropriate professional certification or licensing board for 11
potential disciplinary action. 12
(4) The cabinet shall update any relevant policies, procedures, standards, manuals, 13
treatment guidance, and other materials related to child health care, child 14
welfare, and juvenile justice services to reflect the prohibition established in 15
subsection (2) of this section and to convey, where appropriate, the risks 16
associated with the practice of conversion therapy on minors. 17
(5) All state departments and agencies that regulate, provide, procure, or pay for 18
medical or mental health services on behalf of Kentucky residents shall explore 19
actions they may lawfully take to protect minors from the practice of conversion 20
therapy. 21
(6) All professional certification or licensing boards, departments, and agencies in 22
the Commonwealth may explore and implement strategies to prohibit the practice 23
of conversion therapy on minors and the referral of minors for conversion 24
therapy including but not limited to making engaging in conversion therapy on 25
minors or referring minors for conversion therapy unprofessional conduct 26
subject to disciplinary action. 27