Lawmakers: ban gay conversion therapy for minors ADVERTISING Lawmakers: ban gay conversion therapy for minors HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers are introducing a bill that would ban gay conversion therapy for minors. The controversial treatment aims to turn gay teens
Lawmakers: ban gay conversion therapy for minors
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers are introducing a bill that would ban gay conversion therapy for minors.
The controversial treatment aims to turn gay teens heterosexual on the basis that being gay is an illness.
Opponents of the treatment say being gay is not a disorder. They say the ban would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens from harm caused by conversion therapy.
Studies say teens are more likely to attempt suicide if they’ve been rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation. They also may become depressed or use drugs.
The bill would make it illegal for teachers or counselors to try to change someone’s sexual orientation. It would also ban advertising that promotes changing sexual orientation.
Several states including California, Oregon, New Jersey and Illinois have passed similar laws.
Bill would let Hawaii pharmacists prescribe birth control
HONOLULU (AP) — State lawmakers introduced legislation that would make it easier for adult women in Hawaii to get birth control.
Right now, women can only get certain contraceptives through a physician. If passed, the bill would allow women older than 18 to get hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, patches and rings directly from pharmacists without having to visit a doctor.
The Senate and House introduced versions of the bill, which would require pharmacists to go through training to be able to prescribe contraceptives.
Pharmacists also would have to provide patients with a self-screening checklist that would help to identify what kind of contraceptive to use. Pharmacists would have to refer patients to their primary care provider or recommend they go see one after getting the prescription.
The bill also would require health insurance companies to reimburse pharmacists who prescribe and dispense birth control.
California and Oregon passed similar laws. Supporters of the bill say obtaining birth control from pharmacists could be more convenient and potentially cheaper than seeing a primary care physician.
