1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; prohibiting conversion therapy with children or vulnerable adults; 
1.3 	prohibiting medical assistance coverage for conversion therapy;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.0625, by adding a subdivision; proposing 
1.5 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 214.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [214.078] PROTECTION FROM CONVERSION THERAPY ACT.
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definition. "Conversion therapy" means any practice by a mental health 
1.9 	practitioner or mental health professional as defined in section 245.462 that is intended to 
1.10 	change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change 
1.11 	behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or 
1.12 	feelings toward individuals of the same gender. Conversion therapy shall not include 
1.13 	counseling that provides assistance to an individual undergoing gender transition, or 
1.14 	counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of an individual or facilitates 
1.15 	an individual's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including 
1.16 	sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe 
1.17 	sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual's sexual 
1.18 	orientation or gender identity.
1.19 		Subd. 2.Prohibition. (a) A mental health practitioner or mental health professional shall 
1.20 	not engage in conversion therapy with a client younger than 18 years of age or with a 
1.21 	vulnerable adult as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 21.
1.22 	(b) Conversion therapy attempted by a mental health practitioner or mental health 
1.23 	professional with a client younger than 18 years of age or with vulnerable adults shall be 
2.1 	unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the mental health 
2.2 	practitioner's or mental health professional's licensing board.

2.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.4 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.0625, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.5 	to read:
2.6 		Subd. 5m.Conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, as defined in section 214.078, is 
2.7 	not covered.