This bill aims to amend existing public health and welfare laws in Nebraska by prohibiting conversion therapy for individuals under the age of nineteen. It introduces new legal language that defines conversion therapy, gender identity conversion therapy, and sexual orientation conversion therapy, and specifies that licensed professionals under certain practice acts, including the Medicine and Surgery Practice Act and the Mental Health Practice Act, are not allowed to provide such therapies. Additionally, the bill establishes that violations of this prohibition will be considered deceptive trade practices, subject to penalties under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of state or political subdivision funds for conducting, referring individuals to, or providing health benefits coverage for conversion therapy. It also amends the Uniform Credentialing Act to include providing conversion therapy as a ground for disciplinary action against credential holders. The bill harmonizes existing provisions and repeals the original sections of the law that are being amended.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 38-101, 38-178, 38-2894