Senate passes conversion therapy bill

March 18, 2015 8:00 am·

TherapyBy Bob Eschliman
Editor

 

The Iowa Senate passed a bill Tuesday that prohibits mental health professionals from engaging in “conversion therapy” with patients younger than 18.

Senate File 334, which passed on a 26-24 party line vote, provides that a mental health provider who engages in sexual orientation change efforts, also known as “conversion therapy” with a patient under 18 years of age is subject to disciplinary action by the entity or disciplinary authority with professional jurisdiction over the mental health provider. CLICK HERE to view full video of the roughly 10-minute debate on the bill.

The Senate also approved Senate File 321, which requires the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to provide any state agency or governmental subdivision purchasing a good or service under a master contract established by the department with any refund, rebate, or financial incentive, or pro rata portion thereof, received by the department for that purchase. The bill was adopted 28-22 without debate.

Senators also adopted Senate File 466, which amends several provisions of Iowa Code related to spending and debt limitations for courthouse security projects. That bill was adopted, 36-14, without debate.

The Senate adopted the following bills on anonymous or nearly anonymous votes:

  • Senate File 151 – orientation and classification center at correctional institute for women in Mitchellville, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 179 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the crime of kidnapping, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 202 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to third-party payments for physical therapy treatment and services, adopted 48-2.
  • Senate File 258 – an act to amend the eligibility requirements for the Gap Tuition Assistance Program, adopted 49-1.
  • Senate File 259 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to filling school board vacancies, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 264 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to emergency access to local telephone exchange service information, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 268 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to divorce attorney fees for a party convicted of a crime against the petitioner, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 272 – an act to increase the fines for improper use of a person with disability parking permit, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 274 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to programs and services under the purview of the Iowa Department of Public Health, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 306 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to communication and • visitation between an adult ward and another person, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 377 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the commission of crimes with sexual intent, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 384 – an act to amend Iowa Code was it relates to advisory bodies and public notice requirements under the Iowa Open Meetings Law, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 385 – an act to allow for the expungement of non-guilty verdicts and dismissals under certain circumstances, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 391 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the use of electronic communication devices while driving, adopted 44-6.
  • Senate File 392 – an act to create apprentice hunter certification, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 394 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the expenses of prisoners in county and city holding facilities.
  • Senate File 412 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to Child In Need of Assistance and delinquency cases, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 447 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the periods of time to bring civil and criminal actions, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 448 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the penalties for the commission of Class A felonies by people younger than 18, adopted 47-3.
  • Senate File 450 – an act to establish penalties for the crime of human trafficking, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 451 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the transfer of Child In Need of Assistance cases from juvenile court to district court, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 453 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to the Iowa Pharmacy Board.
  • Senate File 457 – an act to allow the Iowa Public Information Board to have access to minutes and audio recordings of closed sessions of meetings, adopted 46-4.
  • Senate File 460 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to voluntary receipt of payment of wages by debit or pay card, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 462 – an act to amend Iowa Code as it relates to maintenance and administration of epinephrine in schools, adopted 50-0.
  • Senate File 464 – an act to amend the activities, membership, and duties of the Prevention of Disabilities Policy Council, adopted 50-0.