California Assembly passes ‘attack on parental rights’ bill banning sex orientation therapy
SACRAMENTO, August 30, 2012, ( LifeSiteNews.com ) - A first-of-its-kind state measure banning voluntary therapy for same-sex attraction for minors has passed California ’s Assembly , moving it a step closer to law, pending the reconciliation of the bill’s versions this week. The latest version of the bill states that California has a compelling interest in protecting minors against “exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts ,” and prohibits any mental health professional from providing sexual orientation therapy to individuals under 18 years old. Ted Lieu said he designed the bill to deny parental rights. The measure passed by a 51-21 vote in the Democratic -controlled Assembly, and was approved by the Senate in May. Critics have blasted the bill as an infringement upon parents’ rights, while supporters say that’s precisely the point. “ The attack on parental rights is exactly the whole point of the bill , because we don’t want to let paren