Read the full stored bill text
As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
S. B. No. 71
2025-2026
Senators Antonio, Liston
Cosponsors: Senators Craig, DeMora,
Hicks-Hudson, Smith, Weinstein, Ingram
A
BILL
To
enact sections
4723.95
,
4731.45, 4732.34, 4743.11, 4757.46, and 4758.73 of the Revised Code
to
prohibit
certain licensed health care professionals from engaging in
conversion therapy for minor patients.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
sections
4723.95
,
4731.45, 4732.34, 4743.11, 4757.46, and 4758.73 of the Revised Code
be enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
4723.95.
The
board of nursing shall comply with section 4743.11 of the Revised
Code.
Sec.
4731.45.
The
state medical board shall comply with section 4743.11 of the Revised
Code.
Sec.
4732.34.
The
state board of psychology shall comply with section 4743.11 of the
Revised Code.
Sec.
4743.11.
(A)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Applicant" means an individual who applies for licensure
or registration, as applicable, to practice as a health care
professional.
(2)
"Conversion therapy" means the practice of seeking to
change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, including
efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to reduce or
eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person
of the same gender.
(3)
"Health care professional" means any of the following:
(a)
An advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of
the Revised Code who is designated as a clinical nurse specialist;
(b)
A physician authorized to practice medicine and surgery or
osteopathic medicine and surgery under Chapter 4731. of the Revised
Code;
(c)
A psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;
(d)
A licensed professional clinical counselor or licensed professional
counselor licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code;
(e)
An independent social worker, social worker, or social work assistant
licensed or registered under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code;
(f)
An independent marriage and family therapist or marriage and family
therapist licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code;
(g)
An independent chemical dependency counselor-clinical supervisor,
independent chemical dependency counselor, chemical dependency
counselor III, or chemical dependency counselor II, licensed under
Chapter 4758. of the Revised Code, or a chemical dependency counselor
assistant, prevention consultant, prevention specialist I, prevention
specialist assistant, or registered applicant, certified under that
chapter.
(4)
"Minor" means an individual who is under eighteen years of
age.
(5)
"State licensing board" means the board of nursing; the
state medical board; the state board of psychology; the counselor,
social worker, and marriage and family therapist board; or the
chemical dependency professionals board.
(B)
An applicant or health care professional shall not engage in
conversion therapy when providing mental health treatment to a minor
patient.
(C)
Division (B) of this section does not prohibit any of the following
that does not seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or
gender identity:
(1)
Assisting a patient who seeks to transition, is in the process of
transitioning, or has transitioned from one gender to another;
(2)
Providing a patient with acceptance, support, and understanding or
facilitating a patient's coping, social support, or identity
exploration and development;
(3)
Providing a patient with sexual orientation-neutral interventions to
prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices.
(D)
A state licensing board shall impose one or more of the following
sanctions on an applicant or health care professional for a failure
to comply with this section: suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or
renew the license or certificate of registration.
Sec.
4757.46.
The
counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board
shall comply with section 4743.11 of the Revised Code.
Sec.
4758.73.
The
chemical dependency professionals board shall comply with section
4743.11 of the Revised Code.