Senate approves bill defining and prohibiting conversion therapy for minors, with counseling exceptions

The Utah Senate on Feb. 17 passed second substitute House Bill 228, a measure that defines conversion therapy and prohibits healthcare professionals from providing such treatment to minors.

Sponsor Senator Bramble described the bill’s operative language on the floor, saying the statute defines "conversion therapy" as a practice or treatment intended to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity or to impose a different orientation or identity upon a minor. The sponsor read the bill’s language and said it expressly prohibits a healthcare professional acting in their professional capacity from providing conversion therapy to a minor client.

Bramble emphasized that the bill contains a narrow and specific definition and includes an explicit allowance for professional, neutral, and supportive counseling. Under that language, a healthcare professional who is not intending to change a minor’s orientation or gender identity may provide lawful professional conduct that is neutral with respect to orientation, offers acceptance, support and understanding, and may provide treatment to a minor considering gender transition, including exploration of timing and options.

Senators did not engage in extended floor debate after the sponsor’s explanation. The roll call recorded 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 2 senators absent; the bill passed the Senate and will be returned to the House for the signature of the Speaker.

What the bill does and does not do: The Senate presentation focused on the statutory definition and the professional‑conduct prohibition and on clarifying that neutral, non‑coercive counseling and support remain allowed under the bill text. The floor summary did not provide additional implementation details such as agency rulemaking timelines or enforcement mechanics; those details would be in the bill text and any implementing rules adopted by relevant licensing boards.

Senator Bramble on floor: "Conversion therapy means a practice or treatment by which a healthcare professional intends to change a minor's orientation or gender identity... a healthcare professional acting in their professional capacity may not provide conversion therapy to a minor client."