California updates restrictions involving conversion therapy
Oct 4, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0126 · Published 2026-10-04 · Version 2 · Final
SB 934 revises California’s definition of sexual-orientation or gender-identity change efforts and preserves the prohibition for patients under 18. It distinguishes predetermined-outcome practices from nondirective exploration, appropriate safety interventions and supportive care meeting the stated conditions.
What happened
California enacted SB 934 on September 26, amending Business and Professions Code sections 865, 865.1 and 865.2 under the ordinary January 1, 2027 effective-date rule. The defined change efforts are practices by a licensed mental health provider during mental health services that direct a patient toward a predetermined sexual orientation or gender identity outcome, regardless of the direction sought. The text includes efforts to increase or decrease specified attractions or suppress or constrain gender identity or expression. The provider definition spans the listed physicians, psychologists, therapists, social workers, counselors, trainees and other designated mental health professionals.
The statute prohibits those efforts with a patient under 18 under any circumstances and makes attempted efforts unprofessional conduct subject to the provider’s licensing entity. Its definition excludes nondirective psychotherapy supporting coping, exploration and self-understanding without a predetermined outcome; age-appropriate interventions addressing unlawful or unsafe conduct without directing identity or orientation; and supportive services consistent with standards of care that respect the patient-defined gender identity. These conditions are important to scope: the law does not characterize all identity discussion or supportive counseling as prohibited conversion efforts.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- Directly applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Recorded date
- 2027-01-01
- Date type
- effective
Why it matters
Behavioral-health policies and referral oversight should identify the actual goal and method of a service, the patient’s age and the provider role. Accurate scope protects access to nondirective and supportive care while addressing practices aimed at a predetermined outcome.
Recommended action
Review affected policies, training and contracted referral services with Behavioral Health and Legal. Distinguish prohibited efforts involving minors from the defined exclusions, and document the applicable provider and patient-age scope. Prepare the January 2027 policy changes without representing the bill as a new rule for every form of counseling at every age.
Sources
- SB 934, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-26 · Source review 2026-09-27
- SB934 chaptered text, retained official rendered documentOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-26 · Source review 2026-10-15
- Official Assembly 2023-24 Constitution, Article IV section 8Official · California Legislature · Source review 2026-10-14
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