Cuyahoga County committee advances ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors and vulnerable adults

Cuyahoga County Council's Health, Human Services & Aging Committee voted to advance an ordinance to prohibit conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults to the full council on second reading.

The ordinance, introduced by Councilman Paul Schlepper, would add a prohibition to the county code against health-care providers knowingly engaging in any practice that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Enforcement would be handled through the county Human Rights Commission, which could issue cease-and-desist orders, award attorney fees to complainants and assess civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The measure also would bar county contractors from knowingly facilitating conversion therapy and could subject violators to debarment procedures.

Supporters, including representatives of the county executive's office and local advocates, framed the ordinance as a public-health measure grounded in medical consensus. "Conversion therapy is not therapy. It is a form of psychological abuse masquerading as medical treatment," said Brendan Doyle of the county executive's office, speaking on behalf of County Executive Chris Ronayne. Doyle cited positions from major medical organizations, including the American…