Gay conversion therapies now against the law in Westchester

So-called gay conversion therapies for anyone under 18 years will now be outlawed in Westchester County.

County lawmakers banned conversion therapies, also called “reparative therapies,” in a unanimous vote last week after a push from County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat. The therapies, aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, have been largely discredited by a number of medical and mental health organizations.

The county joins a number of municipalities and states that have enacted bans of their own. It isn’t clear if there are any individuals or companies offering such therapies in Westchester.

New York State regulations already block insurers from covering conversion therapies and facilities under the jurisdiction of the state Office of Mental Health are prohibited from administering any of the therapies.

Anyone breaking the law would face a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to a year in jail.

Follow Mark Lungariello on Facebook: @lungariello; and Twitter: @marklungariello.