                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONVERSION THERAPY PROHIBITED (§ 54.1-2409.5)

A. As used in this section, &#8220;conversion therapy&#8221; means any practice
or treatment that seeks to change an individual&#8217;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. &#8220;Conversion therapy&#8221; does not
include counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a
person or facilitates a person&#8217;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&#8217;s sexual orientation
or gender identity.

B. No person licensed pursuant to this subtitle or who performs counseling as
part of his training for any profession licensed pursuant to this subtitle shall
engage in conversion therapy with a person under 18 years of age. Any conversion
therapy efforts with a person under 18 years of age engaged in by a provider
licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle or who performs
counseling as part of his training for any profession licensed pursuant to this
subtitle shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall be grounds for
disciplinary action by the appropriate health regulatory board within the
Department of Health Professions.

HISTORY: 2020, cc. 41, 721.