Oklahoma HB 2456: Professions and occupations; banning conversion therapy for certain licensed providers; providing imposition of disciplinary action; effective date.

Bill Text

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STATE OF OKLAHOMA 
 
1st Session of the 57th Legislature (2019) 
 
HOUSE BILL 2456 By: Dunnington 
 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
An Act relating to professions and occupations; 
creating the Youth Mental Health Protection Act; 
defining terms; prohibiting conversion therapy for 
certain persons; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 509, 
as amended by Section 2, Chapter 175, O.S.L. 2018 (59 
O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 509), which relates to the 
Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure 
and Supervision Act; modifying unprofessional 
conduct; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 567.8, as 
last amended by Section 1, Chapter 72, O.S.L. 2018 
(59 O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 567.8), which relates to 
the Nursing Practice Act; modifying criteria for 
imposition of disciplinary action; amending 59 O.S. 
2011, Section 637, which relates to the Oklahoma 
Osteopathic Medicine Act; modifying criteria for 
imposition of disciplinary action; amending 59 O.S. 
2011, Section 1370, as last amended by Section 7, 
Chapter 169, O.S.L. 2016 (59 O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 
1370), which relates to the Psychologists Licensing 
Act; modifying criteria for imposition of 
disciplinary action; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 
1912, as last amended by Section 11, Chapter 183, 
O.S.L. 2015 (59 O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 1912), which 
relates to the Licensed Professional Counselors Act; 
modifying criteria for imposition of disciplinary 
action; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 1925.15, as 
last amended by Section 12, Chapter 183, O.S.L. 2015 
(59 O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 1925.15), which relates 
to the Marital and Family Therapist Licensure Act; 
modifying criteria for imposition of disciplinary 
action; amending 59 O.S. 2011, Section 1941, as last 
amended by Section 13, Chapter 183, O.S.L. 2015 (59 
O.S. Supp. 2018, Section 1941), which relates to the 
Licensed Behavioral Practitioner Act; modifying 
criteria for imposition of disciplinary action; 

 
 
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providing for codification; and providing an 
effective date. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1925.19 of Title 59, unless 
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall be known and may be cited 
as the "Youth Mental Health Protection Act". 
SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1925.20 of Title 59, unless 
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
As used in the Youth Mental Health Protection Act: 
1.  "Conversion therapy" means any practice or treatment that 
seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, 
including, but not limited to, any effort to change behaviors or 
gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic 
attractions or feelings toward persons of the same sex.  "Conversion 
therapy" does not mean: 
a. counseling or mental health services that provide 
acceptance, support and understanding of a person 
without seeking to change sexual orientation or gender 
identity, or 

 
 
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b. mental health services that facilitate a person's 
coping, social support, sexual orientation or gender 
identity exploration and development, including, but 
not limited to, an intervention to prevent or address 
unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without 
seeking to change sexual orientation or gender 
identity; 
2.  "Gender identity" means the gender-related identity, 
appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of 
an individual, regardless of the individual's designated sex at 
birth; and 
3.  "Sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality or 
bisexuality, whether actual or perceived. 
SECTION 3.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1925.21 of Title 59, unless 
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
No provider, as defined in Section 725.2 of Title 59 of the 
Oklahoma Statutes, shall provide conversion therapy to any person 
under eighteen (18) years of age.  The provision of conversion 
therapy in violation of the provisions of the Youth Mental Health 
Protection Act shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the 
provider's licensing board. 

 
 
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SECTION 4.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2011, Section 509, as 
amended by Section 2, Chapter 175, O.S.L. 2018 (59 O.S. Supp. 2018, 
Section 509), is amended to read as follows: 
Section 509.  The w