Key facts
- Colorado lawmakers passed a rewritten ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth.
- The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Colorado's previous conversion therapy ban.
- The new legislation is identified as HB26-1322.
- The bill now goes to Governor Jared Polis.
- Governor Jared Polis is expected to sign the bill into law.
- The ban targets practices intended to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Colorado lawmakers have enacted a revised ban on conversion therapy targeting LGBTQ+ youth, a move designed to reinstate protections after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the state's existing law. The newly passed legislation, identified as HB26-1322, has been sent to Governor Jared Polis, who is anticipated to sign it into law. This legislative effort aims to re-establish prohibitions against practices that seek to alter a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity. The previous law was invalidated by the Supreme Court, prompting this legislative response to ensure continued safeguards for vulnerable youth in Colorado. The bill's passage signifies the state's commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ minors from harmful practices that have been widely condemned by major medical and mental health organizations. The rewritten ban is expected to align with federal standards and judicial interpretations, ensuring its legal standing and effectiveness in safeguarding the well-being of young people in Colorado.