November 27, 2019
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce, announced today that at the request of Governor Gary R. Herbert, the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) has officially filed the new rules based on H.B. 399, first substitute, to ban conversion therapy on minors in the State of Utah. The rules use language from H.B. 399, first substitute, presented by Rep. Craig Hall during the 2019 General Legislative Session, and will apply to all licensed mental health therapists and psychologists practicing in Utah. As stated in a press release sent yesterday by Governor Herbert, the rules are backed by a wide variety of public leaders, organizations, and policy groups, who are united in supporting this critical effort to end the harmful practice of conversion therapy on minors.
The new rules language banning conversion therapy for minors is posted on the Department of Commerce website for public review here; R156-60.pdf and R156-61.pdf .
According to the Department of Commerce, the official rules filed with Utah Office of Administrative Rules will begin a new public comment period with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Any citizen who would like to share their written views can do so at the following email address; lmarx@utah.gov. The new rules will be published December 15, 2019 and the 30-day public comment period will end January 14, 2020. The new rules could be effective as soon as January 22, 2020.
