OLYMPIA — The Senate has unanimously passed a bill to ban licensed therapists from using extreme therapies like shock treatment to try to alter the behavior or sexual orientation of minors.
Senate Bill 5870 passed Wednesday and now heads to the House for consideration, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported. Under the measure, treatments like using shock, extreme temperatures, isolation, or other pain-causing procedures to change someone’s behavior would be considered unprofessional conduct if performed on someone under 18. Under current state law, licensed therapists found guilty of unprofessional conduct can have their licenses revoked.
The prohibition would apply not only to aversion therapies designed to change a minor’s sexual orientation, but also for attempts to stop minors from using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.
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