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H.R. 3243: Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 aims to prohibit practices known as conversion therapy, which attempt to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill asserts that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender nonconforming is not a disorder and highlights the lack of scientific evidence supporting conversion therapy. It emphasizes the significant risks associated with these practices, including mental health issues and increased rates of depression and suicide.

Key Definitions

Conversion Therapy: Any treatment aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, provided for monetary compensation.
Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of their gender, which may differ from the sex assigned to them at birth.
Sexual Orientation: Describes a person's emotional or sexual attraction to individuals of the same or different genders.

Provisions of the Act

The Act makes it unlawful for any individual or entity to:

Provide conversion therapy.
Advertise conversion therapy, suggesting it can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, reduce same-gender attraction, or claim it is harmless.
Assist or facilitate the provision of conversion therapy if receiving compensation.

Enforcement Mechanisms

The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce these provisions:

The FTC can treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts, with enforcement powers to impose penalties.
The Attorney General can bring civil actions against violators.
State attorneys general may act on behalf of residents adversely affected by violations.