[JURIST] The Colorado House of Representatives [official website] approved a bill [text, PDF] on Thursday that would ban sexual orientation conversion therapy for people under 18. The bill would also make licensed physicians and mental health providers “subject to disciplinary action” for performing conversion therapy. The bill defines conversion therapy as “any practice by a licensee or registrant that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings towards individuals of the same sex.” It explicitly does not include therapies that assist gender transition, help people cope with their sexual orientation, or prevent illegal sexual behavior. The bill passed [Denver Channel report] by a 38-27 vote. Next, the bill will move to the Republican-majority Senate, where it may face resistance.

A few states have already banned conversion therapy for minors, meeting with opposition. In August pastors sued Illinois over the state’s conversion therapy ban, which had been passed [JURIST reports] the year before. In April 2015 the White House voiced support [JURIST report] for banning conversion therapy. In 2014 a federal appeals court upheld [JURIST report] New Jersey’s ban on conversion therapy.