OLYMPIA — The state House of Representatives has passed a bill to ban therapy intended to convert gay teenagers to heterosexuality.
In a 60-37 vote supported by all House Democrats and a handful of Republicans, the House on Thursday amended a unanimously passed Senate bill that bans aversion therapy on minors to cover therapy that tries to alter sexual orientation. Supporters said conversion therapy is traumatic and doesn’t work. Opponents said the changed bill obstructs free-speech and doctor-patient rights. The amendment, opponents said, could keep the original bill from passing and blocking harmful therapies like electroshock and ice baths on young patients.
The revised bill now moves back to the Senate for reconsideration.
