A Utah bill that bans conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth passed a House committee after key language regarding gender identity was removed, frustrating the bill’s sponsor.
The bill aims to add Utah to the list of more than a dozen states that have already banned the controversial practice. But language in the original bill was changed in committee to make the ban more specific and allow therapists to bring up orientation or gender identity on an individual basis, according to the Associated Press.
“The bill right now is not in a position that I can support,” state representative and bill sponsor Craig Hall (R) told local outlet Fox 13. “As the language is right but we’ll continue to have discussions, it’s part of the legislative process, we’ll continue to have discussions and see if we can come to some language we can possibly agree on.”
Hall said it was “premature” at this point to say if he would possibly kill the legislation if additional changes weren’t made.
The changed version of the bill specifically bans conversion therapy practices such as electroshock and induced vomiting.
“This will not stop conversion therapy,” Hall said during the committee hearing.
The committee decided to advance the substitute version because they felt it struck a balance.
“In many ways we’re trying to thread a needle here,” said state Rep. Brady Brammer (R), according to the Salt Lake Tribune.