Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Health Professions

Multiple Boards

Guidance Document Change: Consistent with the established position of the NASW, the Board considers “conversion therapy” or “sexual orientation change efforts” to be services that have the potential to be a danger to clients, especially minors. Thus, under regulations governing practitioners licensed or registered by the Board, practicing conversion therapy/sexual orientation change efforts with minors could result in a finding of misconduct and disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant.

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5/2/19 1:37 pm

Commenter: Fred Gray

I oppose restricting social worker's speech

You cannot take away a freedom that is provided by the Constitution.

It contradicts the U.S. Constitution, Virginia Statutes, and will of Virginians and their elected representatives in the General Assembly.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected the state of California’s claim that “professional speech” receives less First Amendment protection than ordinary speech, stating that: “This Court has not recognized ‘professional speech’ as a separate category of speech. Speech is not unprotected merely because it is uttered by ‘professionals’ (NIFLA v. Becerra).

CommentID: 71796