Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 25 - STATE BOARD OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Subchapter D - MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Section 25.218 - Conversion therapy, sexual orientation change efforts and reparative therapy-statement of policy
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) Background. Conversion therapy, also known as sexual orientation change efforts or reparative therapy, poses critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual individuals, including suicidality, substance abuse, confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, stress, disappointment, self-blame, decreased self-esteem and authenticity to others, increased self-hatred, hostility and blame toward parents, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends and potential romantic partners, problems with sexual and emotional intimacy, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual behaviors, a feeling of being dehumanized and untrue to self, a loss of faith and a sense of having wasted time and resources. The American Medical Association opposes the use of conversion therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity. Due to the lack of scientific evidence supporting conversion therapy and the risk of harm to minors, the practice of conversion therapy is strongly opposed by the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychoanalytic Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, Pan American Health Organization, and the World Psychiatric Association.
(b) Board authority. The Board has statutory authority to license, regulate and discipline Board-regulated practitioners in this Commonwealth. Under section 15 of the act (63 P.S. § 271.15), the Board is authorized to refuse, revoke or suspend the license of a Board-regulated practitioner who is guilty of immoral or unprofessional conduct.
(c) Guidelines. The following conversion therapy guidelines should be considered by Board-regulated practitioners to ensure compliance with the act and the Board's regulations.
