Bill > HB1598

This bill, titled the "Parental and Family Rights in Counseling Protection Act," establishes that state government entities cannot prevent mental health providers from offering counseling or clients from receiving it for self-determined objectives, including addressing unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender identity expressions. It also explicitly protects the rights of parents or legal guardians to seek such counseling for their children. The act defines "mental health provider" broadly to include various licensed professionals, "patient" or "client" as anyone under their care, and "counseling" as communication aimed at aiding a client's self-determined goals. Importantly, it defines "sexual orientation change efforts" as any counseling seeking to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attractions or change sexual behaviors or gender identity expressions, and "aversion therapy" as counseling involving physical pain to achieve similar outcomes. While the bill allows mental health providers to engage in sexual orientation change efforts with minors, it clarifies that the act cannot be used to justify subjecting clients to aversion therapy. Furthermore, it grants mental health providers, patients, or clients whose freedom of speech in counseling is violated the right to legal action and attorney fees. The bill is declared an emergency measure, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage and approval.