SENATE OF VIRGINIA SCOTT A, SUROVELL, ‘comme assiontenrs me noaen a5 October 4, 2018 David €. Brown, 0.C Department of Health Professions Perimeter Center 9960 Maryland Dr., Ste 300 Richmond, VA 23233, RE: Adding Conversion Therapy To The Standards Of Practice; Unprofessional Conduct Director Brown: It is my understanding that the Department has convened a working group to consider adding ‘conversion therapy conversion therapy or sexual orientation change efforts to the Unprofessional Conduct section of each licensing board's Standards of Practice. | am writing in support of that effort. “Conversion therapy” means any practices or treatments that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. Conversion therapy does not include counseling that provides assistance to a person undergoing gender transition, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person's coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual- orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Numerous health associations, including the American American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy deem conversion therapy a harmful and ineffective practice. Gay and transgender youth who are subjected to conversion therapy face traumatic consequences such as depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide. Nine other states and Washington, D.C. passed legislation to protect LGBT youth from conversion therapy. Because state-licensed practitioners could otherwise prey on parents and legal guardians who are not aware that conversion therapy subjects their children to serious harm, the state has a compelling interest in ensuring that licensed! health care providers follow professional standards of care and do not engage in dangerous practices that have no scientific basis and put patients at riskDavid E. Brown, D.C. October 4, 2018 Page 2 of 2 | have introduced legislation to achieve this twice in the last three years. | have recorded both hearings on my legislation and uploaded them to my YouTube Channel if you would like to watch the discussion. The primary opposition articulated by State Senators has been that issues like this should be dealt with through professional licensing instead of by legislation. This is exactly what your Department Is considering, and | wholeheartedly support this effort. By adding these practices to the Unprofessional Conduct section, the boards would do nothing to prohibit pastoral services provided by religious or faith officials. As the primary sponsor of this legislation, | would appreciate it if your office would keep ‘me appraised of all notices, hearings, or proposed rules regarding this issue. Please contact me directly if you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal. 36" District cc: Delegate Patrick Hope Ms. Vee Lamneck, Equality Virginia