Full Breakdown
Colorado Governor Signs Bill Expanding Legal Options for Conversion Therapy Survivors
6/2/2026, 4:44:47 AM
Civil Action Law Expands Legal Remedies
On June 1 2026, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill HB 26-1322, titled “Civil Actions for Conversion Therapy Survivors.” The law creates a civil cause of action that lets individuals who have undergone sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts sue licensed mental-health professionals for damages. It removes the prior two-year filing deadline and permits claims to be filed within five years after a victim’s death. The provisions become effective in July 2026.
Background: Supreme Court Decision and 2019 Ban
Colorado’s 2019 ban on conversion therapy was challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court. In an 8-1 decision in March 2026, the Court held the ban was not “viewpoint neutral,” sending the case back to a lower court to determine whether it meets a heightened constitutional standard. The ruling left the ban in limbo and spurred lawmakers to craft a new civil-action framework.
Sponsors and Legislative Details
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver), Rep. Karen McCormick (D-Longmont), Sen. Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County) and Sen. Kyle Mullica (D-Thornton). It extends the statute of limitations for malpractice claims tied to conversion therapy, giving survivors additional time to pursue legal and financial remedies.
Official Statements & Responses
Polis called conversion therapy “harmful and ineffective” and signed an executive order to bar state funding for it. Lawmakers said the bill creates a clear pathway for justice and protects LGBTQ+ Coloradans from dehumanizing treatment.
Impact and Significance
The law provides survivors a civil remedy, boosting accountability for mental-health providers and underscoring Colorado’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. Prohibiting state funding aligns the budget with the medical consensus that conversion therapy is harmful.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics say the Supreme Court ruling weakens LGBTQ+ youth protections, noting higher rates of depression and suicide, and warn that removing the ban could expose minors to harmful practices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Conversion Therapy is harmful, can traumatize kids, and is a scam to waste people's hard-earned money,” — Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado
- “People shouldn’t be ripped off by those falsely claiming that they can change who you are attracted to or who you are,” — Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado
- “While the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Colorado’s conversion therapy ban law is deeply harmful, we’re not giving up the fight to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Coloradans,” — Karen McCormick, State Representative
- “Conversation therapy is ineffective and has dangerous repercussions, and we’re creating a clear pathway for someone who is harmed by these practices to seek justice,” — Alex Valdez, State Representative
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the Supreme Court’s action: some describe the decision as overturning the 2019 ban, while others say the Court merely sent the case back without striking down the law. The precise legal standard the lower court must apply remains unclear.
What’s Next
The civil-action provisions take effect in July 2026. State agencies will implement the funding ban, and survivors are expected to file claims. Ongoing monitoring and potential litigation will shape Colorado’s enforcement of the new framework.
