Quick Takeaways

• As of January 2023, 20 states plus D.C. protect minors from conversion therapy by licensed mental health professionals; roughly 90 local governments have also enacted protections.

• These laws regulate licensed professionals only, not pastors, youth ministers, or religious counselors.

• California became the first state to pass such protections in 2012; federal courts have largely upheld these laws.

• A 2015 New Jersey jury unanimously ruled that conversion therapy constitutes consumer fraud.

• The legal landscape continues shifting, with Chiles v. Salazar now challenging Colorado's law.

If you're a Christian parent researching options for a child navigating questions about sexual orientation or gender identity, you've likely heard conflicting things about conversion therapy and whether it's allowed where you live.

Here's what you need to know.

What These Laws Actually Do

State laws banning conversion therapy on minors share a common structure: they prohibit licensed mental health professionals from practicing techniques designed to change a young person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

These laws do not apply to pastors, youth ministers, or religious counselors. They do not prevent faith-based conversations or restrict churches from providing spiritual support. They regulate professionals who hold state-issued licenses and are already bound by standards of care.

States With Protections for Minors

As of early 2023, the following have enacted laws protecting minors: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Approximately 90 municipal governments have also enacted local protections. The Movement Advancement Project maintains a current policy map for up-to-date information.

Why These Protections Exist

Research consistently shows these practices cause harm without measurable benefit.

Williams Institute research found an estimated 350,000 adults experienced conversion therapy as adolescents, with studies linking exposure to significantly elevated rates of depression and suicide attempts. Young people exposed to conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to peers who were not. For more on documented outcomes, see our guide on why conversion therapy is harmful.

Beyond psychological harm, courts have found conversion therapy economically fraudulent. In 2015, a New Jersey jury unanimously determined that a major provider violated consumer fraud laws. The organization was permanently shut down. The judge found "no factual basis" for the success statistics these programs claim. Families affected by these false promises share their experiences in conversion therapy stories from Christian families.

What Christian Families Should Consider

These laws matter to families of faith for several reasons.

Parental authority: Conversion therapy operates behind doctor-patient confidentiality without parental oversight. When licensed professionals practice techniques lacking scientific backing, parents may not know what's actually happening in those sessions.

Economic reality: Families have spent thousands on programs courts have ruled fraudulent. That money could build a future together instead of lining practitioners' pockets.

Relational cost: Studies and family testimonies reveal that conversion therapy often damages the parent-child bond. Parents who submitted testimony in Chiles v. Salazar described profound regret and relationships that took years to repair. Many now ask whether they can be faithful to their religion and still support their child.

The Ongoing Legal Battle

In Chiles v. Salazar, Alliance Defending Freedom represents a Colorado therapist challenging that state's minor conversion therapy law, arguing it infringes on free speech.

However, professional speech has always been regulated differently. Lawyers cannot advise clients to commit crimes. Doctors cannot prescribe treatments they know don't work. Licensed professionals operate under standards of care precisely because they have special access to vulnerable people.

For Christian parents, the central question isn't free speech. It's whether strangers should have unchecked authority to practice unproven techniques on children behind closed doors.

Finding a Safer Path

You don't have to choose between your faith and your child's well-being. Many Christian families have found ways to stay rooted in both.

Rather than seeking practitioners who promise change, look for licensed counselors focused on family connection, coping skills, and emotional safety. Ask direct questions about their approach. The safest path is one your family walks together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is conversion therapy legal in my state? Over 20 states prohibit licensed professionals from practicing it on minors. Laws typically don't apply to religious counselors. Because laws change frequently, consult a live policy map for the current status.

Do these bans affect pastors or churches? No. These laws regulate licensed mental health professionals, not religious leaders or faith-based counseling.

Has conversion therapy ever been ruled illegal? Yes. In 2015, a New Jersey jury found a conversion therapy organization violated consumer fraud laws. It was permanently shut down.

Why are states passing these laws? Research consistently shows that conversion therapy is ineffective and harmful. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics andthe American Psychological Association, oppose the practice.

What should I look for in a therapist? Seek licensed professionals focused on mental health support and family connection. Learn more about the differences between conversion therapy and faith-based therapy.