Prohibits certain mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Dean

HB 1968 bans licensed mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy on minors (under 18) in clinical settings.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#childrenandminors #counseling #psychologists

Bill Summary: HB 1968 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 1968 seeks to prohibit certain mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. The bill aims to protect minors from attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity by explicitly barring specified professional practices in a clinical or therapeutic setting when the patient is under 18.

Key provisions and changes

Prohibition of conversion therapy with minors: The bill would make it unlawful for a listed mental health professional to engage in conversion or reparative therapy intended to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Scope of professionals: The prohibition targets “mental health professionals,” which commonly includes licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and other licensed or regulated clinicians who provide therapy or mental health services. (Exact scope may be defined in the bill text; the summary reflects typical inclusion of licensed practitioners.)

Patient age: The prohibition applies specifically to minors (under age 18).

Therapeutic setting: The restriction would apply in professional practice settings where the clinician provides mental health services to a minor patient, including clinical offices, clinics, and possibly other service delivery environments.

Who or what would be affected

Minors seeking mental health treatment: This bill would protect minors from receiving conversion therapy from licensed mental health professionals.

Licensed mental health professionals: Practitioners would be restricted from performing the prohibited practice on minors, potentially exposing them to disciplinary or legal consequences if they engage in such therapy.

Professional boards and regulatory authorities: Licensing boards may be responsible for enforcement, investigations, and sanctions related to violations of the prohibition.

Families and guardians: Parents or guardians seeking appropriate, non-experimental mental health approaches for minors would be affected in terms of treatment options and guidance from clinicians.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Prefiled: December 1, 2024 (records indicate initial filing prior to session start).

First reading: January 7, 2026.

Second reading: January 8, 2026.

Referred to committee: Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026.

Next steps (typical): If advanced, the bill would move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Missouri House of Representatives, followed by companion action in the Senate and potential enactment into law, subject to standard legislative timelines.

Additional notes

Co-sponsor: Jeremy Dean (House sponsor). The presence of a co-sponsor often signals broader backing within the chamber.

The summary reflects common elements of conversion-therapy prohibitions adopted in various jurisdictions, including a focus on minors and professional licensing implications. The exact definitions (e.g., precise scope of “mental health professionals,” any exceptions, or safe-harbor provisions) would be clarified in the bill’s text and any adopted amendments.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or align with specific language once the full bill text is available.