The bill to repeal New Hampshire’s conversion therapy ban for minors, HB1077, had a public hearing on February 15 at the NH House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee.
You can watch the full hearing on YouTube.
There was detailed testimony from therapists who said they have stopped accepting pediatric clients because of the risk of legal action against them and that this has led to lengthy delays in kids and teens getting therapy.
The most effective testimony was from clinical psychologist Dr. Deborah Warner. She broke down carefully for the committee the wording of the law and how it severely restricts therapists’ ability to counsel young people. Watch her testimony here.
Related: Stop Hurting Kids, Repeal the Therapy Ban
Surprisingly, the representative from GLAAD, which opposes the bill, testified that his parents sent him for conversion therapy and that the therapy was not coercive or abusive.
There was excellent testimony from a high school senior speaking up in support of his sibling. Watch it here.
On March 7, the committee met again and an amended version of the bill was proposed. The majority made up of all the Republicans and two Democrats, including Rep. Gerri Cannon, who is transgender, voted Ought to Pass on the amended bill.
HB1077 is expected to be voted on at the next session of the full NH House being held on March 15, 16, and 17. A vote to concur with the committee’s recommendation of Ought to Pass would advance the bill to the NH Senate.
