STAND. COM. REP. NO. 474

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 674

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 674 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GENDER IDENTITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit persons licensed to provide professional counseling from advertising or engaging in gender identity change efforts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Mental Health America of Hawai‘i, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and fifteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that conversion therapy is an odious practice that can result in substantial harm to transgender and LGBTQ+ persons, and there is broad consensus among medical, psychiatric, and health professionals on the dangers of this form of intervention. The potential risks of "reparative therapy" include depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior. A therapist aligned with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Your Committee notes that this measure is a housekeeping measure that is the product of a task force led by the Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health and makes it clear that the ban on these destructive procedures applies equally to efforts to change the sexual orientation of lesbian, gay, or bisexual minors and efforts to change the gender identity of transgender minors.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 674 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair