MePA's Statement with regards to the US Supreme Court ruling on Colorado’s conversion therapy law

In light of the March 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Colorado’s conversion therapy law,  MePA 's Social Justice and Community Engagement Committee wants to highlight to the Maine psychology community and to MePA members that the Supreme Court ruling does not affect Maine’s law that prohibits providing conversion therapy to minors. 

§ 17311.  Prohibition on providing conversion therapy to minors

An individual licensed under this chapter may not advertise, offer or administer conversion therapy to a minor.

“It is the intent of the Legislature to protect the public health and the safety of all youth of the State, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth and those youth seeking to examine or understand their sexual orientation or gender identity, by prohibiting the advertising, offering and administering of therapy designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, also known as conversion therapy, to individuals under 18 years of age in the State.”

Link to full text of Maine's law

Dr. Arthur Evans, Jr., Ph.D. CEO and Vice President of the American Psychological Association,  in a press release dated March 31, 2026, expressed significant concerns regarding the March 2026 Supreme Court decision and reaffirmed the ethical standards of psychologists:  “Our ethical standards are unchanged. Psychologists should continue to provide evidence-based care and avoid practices known to cause harm.” 

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