Rhode Island § 23-94-2 - Prevention of Conversion Therapy for Children

§ 23-94-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Conversion therapy” means any practices or treatments that seek 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 attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. Conversion therapy shall not include counseling that provides assistance to a person undergoing gender transition, or counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding of a person or facilitates a person’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual-orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, as long as such counseling does not seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

(i) “Conversion therapy” shall include any practice by any licensed professional that seeks or purports to impose change of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, practices that attempt or purport to change behavioral expression of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or attempt or purport to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex;

(ii) “Conversion therapy” shall not include practices that:

(A) Provide acceptance, support, and understanding of an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression and the facilitation of an individual’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices; or

(B) Provide acceptance, support, or understanding of an individual’s gender expression or the facilitation of an individual’s coping, social support, and identity exploration and development.

(2) “Department” means the Rhode Island department of health.

(3) “Licensed professional” means any licensed medical, mental health, or human services professional licensed pursuant to title 5 including, but not limited to: any psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, mental health professional, human services professional, under any provisions of the general law, rule or regulation to the contrary.