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HF 4468

Cause of action for harmful conversion therapy practices provided.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kaela Berg and 13 co-sponsors

Minnesota bill creates civil lawsuits against conversion therapy providers for harm caused, allowing victims to seek damages in court.

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Bill Summary · HF 4468

Legislative bill overview

HF 4468 establishes a legal cause of action allowing individuals to sue practitioners who provide conversion therapy—practices intended to change sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill creates a civil remedy for those harmed by these practices, enabling them to seek damages in court. This legislation frames conversion therapy as a compensable tort under Minnesota law.

Why is this important

Conversion therapy has been widely documented by major medical organizations (AMA, APA, AAP) as ineffective and harmful, often causing psychological trauma, depression, and increased suicide risk. Currently, Minnesota lacks specific statutory language allowing victims to directly sue providers for this harm, limiting legal recourse. This bill would provide a direct legal pathway for victims to recover damages and potentially deter these practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Religious liberty concerns: Opponents may argue the bill restricts religious expression and counseling based on religious beliefs, raising First Amendment questions about faith-based practices
  • Scope and definition: Disputes may arise over what practices constitute "conversion therapy" versus standard counseling, including concerns about over-broad application to legitimate therapeutic discussions about identity
  • Liability for parents/guardians: Unclear whether parents who consent to or provide such practices could also be defendants, raising family law and parental rights complexities
  • Statute of limitations: Questions about timeframes for bringing suits and burden of proof standards for proving harm causation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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