Legislative committee discusses rule banning conversion therapy

SALT LAKE CITY — A legislative committee met Thursday to discuss the rule that bans conversion therapy.

The discussion focused on perceived ambiguity surrounding the ban on “Talk Therapy.”

Rep. Brady Brammer (R-Pleasant Grove) has questioned if the rules have any legal standing. He also says that psychologists and doctors who struggle to work around the rule have reached out to him.

“And they’re worried because they say I don’t know where the lines are. I don’t know what I can and can’t say,” Brammer said. “And numerous therapists have said as soon as someone says sexual orientation or gender identity, I refer them elsewhere because I am scared to deal in this area.”

Sen. Jacob Anderegg (R-Lehi) says he is concerned about repealing the rule because confusion around “Talk Therapy” could allow more abusive practices to come back as well.

“It’s that 10 percent if you throw out the rule,” he said. “You’re in essence saying, well, then we should let possibly that 90 percent prevail as well. And what I think what really needs to be discussed is that 10 percent.”

The legislative committee didn’t make a decision one way or the other regarding conversion therapy before adjourning. 

Mark Jones contributed to this article. 

Read more:

• “We expected an uphill battle,” lawmaker says of conversion therapy ban