Mental health: children; conversion therapy; prohibit. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1001 - 330.2106) by adding sec. 901a. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0349'23
If enacted, SB 348 would amend the existing mental health laws significantly. Mental health professionals who engage in conversion therapy on minors would face disciplinary actions and licensing sanctions as stated in the legislation. The amendment aims to limit the scope of treatment options available to minors and ensures that mental health practices adhere to standards that safeguard their well-being. This change reflects an increasing recognition of the harms associated with conversion therapy, potentially affecting a portion of practitioners working within the mental health profession.
Senate Bill 348 seeks to amend the Michigan Mental Health Code to explicitly prohibit mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. The bill aims to protect vulnerable youth from potentially harmful practices that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. By introducing Section 901a, the legislation aims to create a safer environment for minors receiving mental health care and aligns with broader trends advocating against conversion therapy across the United States. This bill is tied to Senate Bill 349, which is necessary for its enactment.
The discussion surrounding SB 348 may involve considerable contention, as opponents might argue that prohibiting conversion therapy infringes on the rights of parents and mental health professionals to make choices concerning treatment options for minors. Supporters, however, emphasize the necessity of protecting minors from therapies deemed harmful by medical and psychological professionals. The discourse around the bill highlights larger cultural and ethical debates regarding treatment of LGBTQ+ youth and the role of mental health professions in promoting practices that are considered to be in the best interest of their clients.