An Act To Clarify the Scope of Practice of Certain Licensed Professionals Regarding Conversion Therapy
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0912
Committee Amendment CA_A-SA_B_S490 (Senate)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §13020

SENATE AMENDMENT " ~ "to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 640, 
L.D. 912, Bill, "An Act To Clarify the Scope of Practice of Certain Licensed 
Professionals Regarding Conversion Therapy" 
Amend the amendment in section 1 in §1500-J in subsection 1 by striking out all of 
paragraph A (page 1, lines 20 to 32 and page 2, lines 1 and 2 in amendment) and inserting 
the following: 
'A. "Conversion therapy" means any practice or course of treatment that seeks to 
change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. including. but not limited 
to, any effort to change gender expression or to eliminate or reduce sexual or 
romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender. "Conversion 
therapy" does not include the following: 
(1) Counseling or treatment intended to assist an individual undergoing a gender 
transition; 
(2) Counseling intended to provide acceptance. support and understanding to the 
individual; and 
(3) Counseling intended to facilitate the individual's coping, social support or 
identity exploration and development, including any therapeutic intervention 
such as talk therapy that is neutral with regard to sexual orientation and that seeks 
to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices. as long as the 
counseling does not seek to change the individual's sexual orientation or gender 
identity.' 
Amend the amendment in section 1 in § 1500-J by striking out all of subsection 3 
(page 2, lines 7 to 13 in amendment) and inserting the following: 
'3. Exceptions. This section does not apply to the activities and services of any 
priest. rabbi. member of the clergy. including a Christian Science healer. or minister of 
the gospel of any religious denomination when performing counseling services as part of 
religious duties and in connection with a specific synagogue or church of any religious 
denomination, as long as that priest. rabbi. member of the clergy or minister does not 
advertise, offer or administer conversion therapy to or for individuals under 18 years of 
age in exchange for monetary compensation in addition to the monetary compensation 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
SENATE AMENDMENT"~" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 640, L.D. 912 
that the priest, rabbi, member of the clergy or minister receives as an employee of the 
specific synagogue or church.' 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §13020, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A. Grounds for discipline of a school psychologist or guidance counselor. 
Evidence that a person who is certified under this Title as a school psychologist or 
guidance counselor has administered conversion therapy as defined in Title 10, section 
1500-J to a child within the last 5 years is grounds for discipline of that person.' 
Amend the amendment in section 3 in subsection 3 in the first line (page 2, line 24 in 
amendment) by inserting after the following: "immoral" the following: 'or prohibited' 
Amend the amendment in section 3 in subsection 3 in the 6th line (page 2, line 29 in 
amendment) by inserting after the following: "child" the following: 'within the last 5 
years' 
Amend the amendment in section 37 in subsection 1 in paragraph C in the last line 
(page 7, line 19 in amendment) by inserting after the following: "risks;" the following: 
'and' 
Amend the amendment in section 3 7 in subsection 1 by striking out all of paragraph 
D (page 7, lines 20 and 21 in amendment). 
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter 
or section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment clarifies that a school psychologist or guidance counselor who 
administers conversion therapy is subject to sanctions, which could include certificate 
revocation and suspension, and only for conduct that occurred within 5 years. 
The 
amendment specifies that the legislation does not apply to the activities of a priest, rabbi, 
member of the clergy or minister unless that person receives monetary compensation 
specifically for those activities. 
This amendment also removes from the legislative 
findings and intent section language regarding the United Nations Committee against 
Torture and Human Rights. 
, -Y_,, 
SPONSORED BY: 
!S-:fcff~ 
(Senator KATZ) 
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COUNTY: Kennebec 
SENATE AMENDMENT