California SB934: Sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed Assembly
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

SB 934 regulates or restricts practices aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity, amending California's Business and Professions Code provisions on this issue. This directly affects counselors, therapists, and faith-based practitioners who may hold traditional beliefs about sexuality and gender.

Law Today

California law currently prohibits mental health providers from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with patients under 18 and defines such efforts narrowly as practices seeking to change sexual orientation. Violations are considered unprofessional conduct subject to licensing discipline.

If Passed

This bill expands the prohibition to include gender identity change efforts (not just sexual orientation), broadening the definition to cover any practices by licensed mental health providers that seek to direct a patient toward a predetermined sexual orientation or gender identity outcome during mental health services. The expanded definition applies the same professional discipline rules to both sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with minors.

AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.

Should I support this?

Strongly Oppose
This billLikely Oppose
Neutral
Likely Support
Strongly Support

Likely Oppose

For Christian parents who hold traditional religious beliefs about sexual orientation and gender, this bill restricts their ability to direct their minor children toward therapeutic counseling that aligns with those convictions. The law treats such parental direction as professional misconduct, effectively removing a counseling option some Christian families believe is appropriate and consistent with their faith, even when parents consent and seek it out.

AI assessment using F3’s editorial criteria — faith, family, and freedom. This is F3’s policy judgment; verify the provisions in the official bill text.

Likely supporters & opponents

Likely support

Medical and mental health associations — Major professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics have concluded that these efforts are harmful and ineffective, with documented risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
LGBTQ+ advocacy and civil-rights organizations — The bill protects minors from practices these groups view as harmful conversion therapy and affirms that gender identity variation is a normal part of human development.

Likely opposition

Religious-liberty and parental-rights organizations — These groups contend the bill restricts parents' ability to seek counseling aligned with their religious beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity, and limits professional therapeutic options even when parents request them.

AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.

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Official summary

An act to amend Sections 865, 865.1, and 865.2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts.

Status timeline

2026-09-26Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 469, Statutes of 2026.
2026-09-26Approved by the Governor.
2026-08-27Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
2026-08-20Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 9.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.S
2026-08-19In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.S
2026-08-19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 58. Noes 18. Page 6267.) Ordered to the Senate.A
2026-08-17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.A
2026-08-13Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.A
2026-08-13From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).A
2026-08-13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.A
2026-08-05August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.A
2026-06-09From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.A
2026-06-09Coauthors revised.A
2026-06-03From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.A
2026-05-26Referred to Com. on JUD.A
2026-05-20In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.A
2026-05-19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 4356.) Ordered to the Assembly.S
2026-05-18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.S
2026-05-14Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.S
2026-05-14From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 4257.) (May 14).S
2026-05-08Set for hearing May 14.S
2026-04-20April 20 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.S
2026-04-10Set for hearing April 20.S
2026-04-08From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 2. Page 3757.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.S
2026-04-02Set for hearing April 7.S
2026-03-25Re-referred to Coms. on JUD. and APPR.S
2026-03-19From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.S
2026-02-11Referred to Com. on RLS.S
2026-01-30From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 1.S
2026-01-29Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.S

H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly