Can Portland prohibit conversion therapy for minors?

Yes; Portland has local policies and ordinances addressing practices described as conversion therapy for minors, with enforcement managed by OEHR and relevant licensing or contracting bureaus.

What penalties apply if a provider violates the ban?

Specific fine amounts and escalation steps are not specified on the cited city page; remedies may include corrective orders, contract actions, or referrals to licensing boards.

How do I file a complaint?

Gather documentation and submit a complaint to the Office of Equity and Human Rights or the licensing bureau that regulates the provider.

Portland Ordinance: Conversion Therapy Ban for Minors

Civil Rights and Equity Oregon 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026

In Portland, Oregon, local policy protects minors from licensed and city-contracted providers who engage in conversion therapy. This article explains the ordinance scope in Portland, how the rule is enforced, what penalties or remedies are noted on official pages, how to report violations, and practical next steps for families and professionals. It summarizes the available official contacts and forms and outlines appeals and timelines based on the city’s published resources. Where the city’s public pages do not specify particular fines or procedures, the text notes that the detail is not specified on the cited page and points to the responsible office for complaints and information.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Portland treats practices described as conversion therapy for minors as prohibited under local equity and human-rights policies where applicable to city-regulated providers and contractors. Specific monetary fines or civil penalties are not specified on the cited city page; for enforcement, complaints are handled by the Office of Equity and Human Rights and related contracting or licensing bureaus. To file a complaint or ask about enforcement, contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights directly Office of Equity and Human Rights^[1].

Enforcer: Office of Equity and Human Rights for discrimination and equity matters; contracting or licensing bureaus for city contractors and licensees.
Fines: not specified on the cited page.
Escalation: the cited city resource does not list first/repeat/continuing offence ranges or increments.
Non-monetary sanctions: possible directives, suspension or termination of city contracts, corrective orders, or referral to licensing boards; exact remedies depend on the enforcing bureau and are not itemized on the cited page.
How to report: submit a complaint to OEHR or the relevant licensing office; see Resources below for links and submission methods.

File complaints promptly; some remedies require timely reporting.

Applications & Forms

No specific application form for enforcement of this ordinance is published on the OEHR landing page; complainants are directed to OEHR intake and city contracting or licensing complaint procedures as appropriate, or to file via the OEHR contact options listed in Resources.^[1]

Scope & Definitions

The ordinance and City of Portland guidance focus on practices that seek to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression for minors. Coverage may apply to city employees, contractors, and regulated providers where Portland has licensing or contracting authority. If a particular provider is licensed at the state level, city enforcement may be limited and may be coordinated with state agencies; consult the relevant bureau for jurisdiction details.

Who is protected: minors (persons under 18) as identified in the cited city materials.
Who is covered: city-contracted providers, city employees, and licensees where city rules apply; state-licensed providers may fall under state authority.
Common violations: offering or advertising conversion therapy to minors; performing such practices under the auspices of city contracts or licensed programs.

Action Steps

Document: collect dates, provider names, advertising materials, and witness details.
Report: submit a complaint to OEHR or the licensing/contracting bureau with jurisdiction.
Escalate: request review by the contracting officer if the provider is a city contractor.
Seek remedies: ask OEHR about corrective orders or referral to disciplinary/licensing authorities.

FAQ

Can Portland prohibit conversion therapy for minors?: Yes; Portland has local policies and ordinances addressing practices described as conversion therapy for minors, with enforcement managed by OEHR and relevant licensing or contracting bureaus.
What penalties apply if a provider violates the ban?: Specific fine amounts and escalation steps are not specified on the cited city page; remedies may include corrective orders, contract actions, or referrals to licensing boards.
How do I file a complaint?: Gather documentation and submit a complaint to the Office of Equity and Human Rights or the licensing bureau that regulates the provider.

How-To

Document dates, communications, and materials related to the alleged conversion therapy.
Locate the provider’s relationship to the city (city contractor, city program, or private/state-licensed provider).
Submit a complaint to OEHR using the contact options on the OEHR page and indicate whether the provider is a city contractor or licensee.
Follow up with the contracting or licensing bureau if the provider is under city contract or city-regulated license.
If dissatisfied with the response, ask OEHR about appeal or review options and any applicable timelines.

Key Takeaways

Portland’s resources prioritize protection of minors from conversion therapy practices.
Report suspected violations to OEHR with documentation.
Enforcement remedies vary and may include contract actions or licensing referrals.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] Office of Equity and Human Rights - Portland