Illinois Senate approves ban on gay conversion therapy; bill heads to governor’s desk

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois state Senate on Friday approved a measure to ban therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT youth.

The bill passed by a 34-19 vote after receiving House approval this month. It now heads to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

Rauner did not immediately respond to the Associated Press for comment on whether he plans to sign the bill

Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), the bill’s sponsor, said mental health associations support the measure that addresses therapies that can cause “mental illness, trauma and can increase the risk of suicide.”

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The initiative would prevent mental health providers from using the treatment on anyone under 18 years old.

California, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington, D.C. have enacted bans on conversion therapy, and the U.S. Supreme Court has turned away challenges to both the California and New Jersey laws.