WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 35 of colleagues in reintroducing the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, legislation that would ban so-called “conversion therapy,” a practice fraudulently claiming to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice has been recognized by the national community of professionals in health, education, social work, and counseling as being both dangerous and ineffective. Since 2018, conversion therapy has been banned in Hawaii, making it one of more than 20 states that have passed legislation prohibiting this procedure.
“No one should have to live in fear for existing as their authentic self, nor should they feel like they have to undergo any procedure to feel safe or accepted in their community,” said Senator Hirono. “Conversion therapy is a dangerous, baseless procedure fueled by hate and during a time when our LGBTQ+ community faces increasing discrimination and violence, this legislation is critical to putting an end to this harmful, useless treatment.”
The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, American Academy of Pediatrics, Equality California, National Association of School Psychologists, Christopher Street Project, and Advocates for Trans Equality.
In addition to Senators Hirono, Murray, and Booker this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill was introduced in the House with 70 original cosponsors.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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