MA House Bans Conversion Therapy; Lifts the Cap on Kids

BOSTON- Yesterday, Representative David P. Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing H.140, An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors and H.3594, An Act to lift the cap on kids. Both pieces of legislation are essential to protecting the children of our Commonwealth.

H.140, An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors, further strengthens the rights and protections that the Commonwealth extends to the LGBTQ community by prohibiting any licensed mental health professional from forcing minors to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices, commonly referred to as conversion therapy, attempt to reduce or eliminate sexual orientations other than heterosexual and gender identities other than cisgender.

“As a parent myself, I understand and appreciate that different families subscribe to different methods of parenting. However, conversion therapy for minors has been proven to be harmful to children, adolescents, and young adults, and has been condemned by the American Medical Association and all other medical and mental health organizations. Protecting minors – who are some of the most vulnerable and voiceless residents of the Commonwealth – from such damaging practices is a matter of public safety and, therefore, needed to be addressed,” said Representative Linsky. “By prohibiting conversion therapy, and subsequently eliminating its harmful consequences, the definition of sanctioned therapy for minors is reinforced as providing acceptance, support, and understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity, facilitating coping, social support, exploration, and development. I am proud to have voted in favor of this legislation.”

H.3594, An Act to lift the cap on kids, would remove what is known as the Cap on Kids, or the Family Cap. This Cap denies welfare benefits to children conceived while, or soon after, the family is on welfare benefits. Because of the Cap on Kids, Massachusetts denies benefits to approximately 9,400 children.

Many states instituted caps in 1996, around the time of federal welfare reform, with a goal of discouraging women on welfare from having more children and then applying for larger benefits. However, it has been shown that the policy does not reduce births to mothers on welfare, and rather simply provides less money for each child. Massachusetts is one of only 17 states to have a Cap on Kids or a similar policy, and 7 states that had such policies have since repealed them.

“The Cap on Kids causes everyone in the family to suffer. It is a policy that is harmful to children, outdated, and ineffective,” said Representative Linsky. “By lifting the Cap, we can help some of the state’s most disadvantaged children and have a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable communities in our Commonwealth.“

The House passed H.140 in a vote of 147-8, and H.3594 155-1, and both pieces of legislation now go to the Senate for consideration.

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For More Information: Abigail Silverman (617) 722-2575