Polis Signs New Law Allowing Lawsuits Against Licensed Counselors Despite Free Speech Concerns

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed a bill enabling individuals who underwent “conversion therapy” to seek damages from practitioners, calling it harmful and ineffective as he also moved to prohibit state funding for it.

Conversion therapy refers to practices that attempt to counsel people on their choices of sexual orientation or gender identity. Critics argue that these efforts are ineffective and can cause harm, while supporters contend that decisions about participating in such practices should be left to families.

House Bill 1322 — sponsored by Reps. Alex Valdez, D‑Denver, and Karen McCormick, D‑Hygiene, along with Sens. Lisa Cutter, D‑Evergreen, and Kyle Mullica, D‑Thornton — would allow individuals to bring civil claims for injuries resulting from conversion therapy performed by licensed providers.

“People shouldn’t be ripped off by those falsely claiming that they can change who you are attracted to or who you are,” said Polis. “In our Colorado for all, everyone can live authentically, and should not be subject to hateful and simply ineffective conversion therapy. Conversion Therapy is harmful, can traumatize kids, and is a scam to waste people’s hard-earned money.”

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