Colorado bill empowers LGBTQ survivors to sue over conversion therapy

A new bill in Colorado aims to give LGBTQ survivors of conversion therapy the right to sue for damages. The proposed law, known as HB26-1322, would also remove time limits for filing such claims. State lawmakers introduced the measure to address the lasting harm caused by the discredited practice.

Conversion therapy has been banned in Colorado since 2019. Now, legislators want to go further by allowing legal action against those responsible for the therapy's effects.

The bill is backed by State Representatives Alex Valdez and Karen McCormick, along with State Senators Lisa Cutter and Kyle Mullica. It will be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee this Wednesday. If passed, the law would let survivors seek compensation for economic and punitive damages.

Under HB26-1322, plaintiffs could take legal action against therapists, facilities, and even individuals who knew about the therapy but failed to intervene. The bill removes the statute of limitations, meaning survivors could file claims regardless of how much time has passed. To win a case, they would need to prove that conversion therapy was a major factor in their psychological injuries. The American Medical Association has long condemned conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful to mental health. Despite Colorado's existing ban, advocates argue that survivors still need a way to hold perpetrators accountable for the damage caused.

The proposed law would mark a significant step in addressing the consequences of conversion therapy in Colorado. If approved, it would provide survivors with a legal path to seek justice and compensation. The outcome of Wednesday's committee hearing will determine whether the bill moves forward in the legislative process.