Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2409.5 as follows:

§54.1-2409.5. Sexual orientation change efforts prohibited.

No person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with any person under 18 years of age. Any sexual orientation change efforts on a person under 18 years of age engaged in by a provider licensed in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the appropriate health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions. For the purpose of this section, "sexual orientation change efforts" includes the provision of treatment, interventions, counseling, or services intended to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expressions. "Sexual orientation change efforts" does not include treatment, interventions, counseling, or services provided to persons seeking to transition from one gender to another or that provide acceptance, social support, and identity exploration and development.