New Jersey Committee Passes Bill to Protect Minors from Reparative Therapy
March 19, 2013 by Maureen McCarty, Online Content and Marketing Manager
Yesterday the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services, and Seniors Committee voted to pass legislation that if enacted would prohibit licensed therapists from subjecting youth to sexual orientation change efforts.
The bill passed 7 to 1 with 2 abstentions.
HRC State Legislative Director Sarah Warbelow offered her testimony before the committee in support of the bill. Read her testimony in its entirety here.
Reparative therapy is a dangerous and overwhelmingly discredited practice and has been denounced by the majority of national health organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association.
The bill will now move to the full Senate. If it passes the both chambers and is signed by the governor, New Jersey will become the second state, behind California, to ban sexual orientation change efforts.
To learn more on the dangers of ex-gay therapy, visit HRC’s resource page “The Lies and Dangers of Reparative Therapy.”
Related Posts
Issues: State Advocacy
Delaware Governor Markell Signs Transgender Rights Bill into Law
June 19, 2013
Issues: Youth & Campus
Secretary Kerry Delivers First Speech on LGBT Policy at State Department Pride
June 19, 2013
