A bill passed in the Colorado House of Representatives on Thursday that would ban conversion therapy on minors.
Conversion therapy is a highly controversial practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation to heterosexual. The bill prohibits licensed or registered mental health professionals from attempting such a therapy on patients under 18.
A press release from the Colorado House Democrats called the practice "dangerous and discredited" that has "been shown to increase the risk of drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide and has been rejected by every mainstream mental health professional association."
The bill was sponsored by Reps. Paul Rosenthal (D-Denver) and Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City).
“This is the fourth time I’m proposing this bill – I’m hopeful the Senate will act this year to protect our LGBTQ youth from this harmful practice,” Rosenthal said in a statement.
Of 27 Republicans present, only one voted to join the united Democratic caucus in the 36-26 vote in favor of HB18-1245, which goes now to the state Senate.
The bill has died in the Senate for the past two years.
In 2016, Republican opponent Sen. Owen Hill of Colorado Springs, said a ban could limit free speech rights.
