Date: 02/24/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1175

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1175 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:39 PM -- HB 15-1175

Representative Rosenthal introduced House Bill 15-1175. The bill prohibits physicians specializing in psychiatry and licensed or registered mental health professional from engaging in conversion therapy with patients under 18 years of age. Conversion therapy is defined as any practice that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expression or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. Representative Singer discussed the practice of re-birthing therapy.

02:45 PM -- Jayson Graves, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and shared his personal story receiving therapy for same-sex attraction. He also described his practice as a registered psychotherapist. He responded to questions from the committee regarding his therapy practice and the effects of the bill. He addressed questions from the committee about how the bill would alter his therapy practice.

03:01 PM -- Jeff Johnston, Focus on the Family, testified in opposition to the bill and shared his personal story receiving therapy for same-sex attraction. He listed several reasons for opposing the bill and distributed three handouts to the committee (Attachments B, C, and D).

150224 AttachB.pdf150224 AttachB.pdf150224 AttachC.pdf150224 AttachC.pdf150224 AttachD.pdf150224 AttachD.pdf

03:10 PM -- Natalie Decker, Colorado Family Action, testified in opposition to the bill, arguing that the bill is an unconstitutional limitation of free speech. She testified there have been no studies finding that the therapy is harmful.

03:13 PM -- Robin Goodspeed, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and described the abuse she suffered in her youth. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the therapy she received in her past. She stated that the bill prohibits children in Colorado from having the option to have therapy that she herself would have benefitted from.

03:20 PM -- John Brannon, testified in opposition to the bill, and regarding his concern that the bill would affect his ability to offer spiritual counsel to his parishioners. He stated that he believed the bill restricts free speech and responded to questions from the committee. The committee discussed the ethical responsibilities of licensed and registered mental health professionals and whether the bill applies to clergy members.

03:41 PM -- Michael Lott-Manier, Mental Health America of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and discussed the research related to the negative effects of therapy to change sexual orientation. He stated that the bill provides appropriate protections for children in Colorado. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the effects of the bill.

03:48 PM -- Sarah Musick, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and described the therapy she received related to her feelings of same-sex attraction. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:56 PM -- Benjamin Waters, Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, testified in support of the bill and listed other organizations in support of the bill. He stated that conversion therapy is discredited and harmful. He stated that the bill does not cover pastors and other counselors who are not licensed mental health professionals. He discussed the status of similar laws in other states and related court opinions that upheld the laws. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:11 PM -- Ronne Hines, Department of Regulatory Agencies, responded to questions from the committee regarding whether the bill would apply to religious ministers, prohibited mental health practices, health professional practice acts, and complaints regarding conversion therapy.

04:16 PM -- Russell Haas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and listed his concerns with the bill.

04:17 PM -- Mark Coulter, Colorado Counseling Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed therapy that is designed to change a person's sexual orientation, and the positions of mental health professional associations on such therapy. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:34 PM

Representative Rosenthal gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.

BILL:HB15-1175
TIME: 04:39:20 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1175 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
No
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
No
Landgraf
No
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
No
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
No
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS