(A) Purpose. This chapter is an exercise of the city’s police power for the public safety, health and welfare; and its provisions shall be liberally construed to accomplish this purpose.
(B) Findings and intent. Medical and mental health experts have denounced efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity as ineffective and unsafe for people, especially minors. These efforts are based on the discredited premise that being non-heterosexual is a mental disorder that can be corrected or cured. It is the intent of the Board of Commissioners that these unethical conversion treatments that correlate with serious and dangerous harm to the health and well-being of minors be prohibited. Therefore, the Board finds and declares that a compelling and important interest exists in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors from efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity within the municipality through the professional conduct of licensed providers, and no other less intrusive means of protecting minors from the harms associated with conversion therapy would be effective in furthering the city’s interest.
(1984 Code, § 111.901) (Ord. O-07-20, passed 3-24-2020)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
MINOR. Any person under 18 years of age.
PROVIDER. Any person licensed, certified or registered to provide professional counseling including, but not limited to, behavior analysts, licensed professional counselors, marital and family therapists or associates, physicians or assistants, osteopaths or assistants, registered or practical nurses or assistive personnel, certified nurse aides, physical or occupational therapists or assistants, psychologists or psychological associates, social workers or associates, licensed professional conservators or guardians, naturopaths or a person who performs counseling as part of the person’s professional training, including those licensed under KRS 335.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY CHANGE EFFORTS OR CONVERSION THERAPY. Any counseling, practice or treatment that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including, but not limited to, efforts to change behaviors or gender expression, or reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward a person of the same gender. SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY CHANGE EFFORTS do not include counseling that does not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity and:
(1) Assists a person undergoing gender transition;
(2) Provides acceptance, support and understanding to the person; or
(3) Facilitates a person’s coping, social support, identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation and gender identity neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices.
(1984 Code, § 111.902) (Ord. O-07-20, passed 3-24-2020)
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