Action | Unprofessional conduct/practice of conversion therapy |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 8/7/2019 |
Do not seek to impose by regulatory fiat what the Virginia Legislative Assembly has refused to implement by statute. Note the following:
• Parents are closes to their child's challenges; they are in the best position to make healthcare decisions involving the wellbeing of their child.
• Under Virginia law, parents have the fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing, education and care of their children.
• Some young people may have attractions they desire to change or moderate. Others may simply desire guidance from a counselor to live a chaste life. In either instance there should be options for families to make informed decisions.
• The proposed ban would deny families the freedom to seek counseling aligned with their faith.
• Licensed professionals with years of education and experience should not be removed from the process of helping children work through these sensitive and deeply personal issues.