Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

Attendance at subcommittee meetings by lobbyists and the public is via zoom or in-person. See agenda for zoom details. Only authenticated users are permitted access.

HF 2557

A bill for an act allowing a person to raise, guide, and instruct a child in a manner consistent with the child’s sex.(Formerly HSB 669.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Evans-CH, Dickey, Quirmbach

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Room 315

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-11-2026

Morgan Hockey

I am OPPOSED to HF2557 and ask the subcommittee members to vote NO. This bill, specifically on page 1, lines 1216, would legalize the harmful and discredited practice of trying to change someone's gender with therapy. This practice doesn't work, causes an increased risk of suicide and other mental health issues in its victims, and has been discredited by every major medical association. This practice, known as conversion therapy, has even been called torture by the UN. You can pretend this bill isn't about conversion therapy, but it's right there plain as day on page 1, lines 1216. Again, I ask that you vote NO on this harmful legislation.

03-11-2026

Olivia Hockey

I strongly oppose this bill, & anyone with a conscience needs to vote NO.This bill legalizes conversion therapy for kids. Conversion therapy is child abuse. Don't believe me? Here's MerriamWebster's definition of conversion therapy."The use of any of various methods (such as aversive stimulation or religious counseling) in an attempt to change a person's sexual orientation to heterosexual or to change a person's gender identity to correspond to the sex the person was identified as having at birthNote: Conversion therapy is generally regarded as having no scientific basis & as being both ineffective and harmful."That note is included in the dictionary to show that the practice is harmful & shouldn't be done. MerriamWebster also defines abuse as "to use or treat so as to injure or damage." So if the dictionary says conversion therapy causes harm, and the definition of abuse is the intentional act of causing harm to someone, then conversion therapy is abuse. Don't legalize abuse.

03-11-2026

Lily Vajgrt

Thanks to the ignorance of this state, I've moved away. HF 2557 will only further ignorance and forcing people to accept conversion therapy as scientific fact. Conversion therapy goes against APA and AMA standards for care, and does harm for gender diverse people. To deny these people their PROPER care is inhumane and NOT maintaining the rights of Iowans! Disgusting waste of time and should be patently illegal on all levels. Federal time for practitioners of barbarism!

03-11-2026

Chloie Smith

Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all, it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Brian Bruening

I strongly encourage the subcommittee to vote NO on this bill as it puts forward the extremely harmful practice of conversion therapy. This discredited practice has been condemned by all medical associations including the American Medical Association and American Pediatric Association. Passing this bill will open the door to psychological and emotional torture of extremely vulnerable children that is tantamount to statesanctioned child abuse. Again, I urge the subcommittee to vote NO.

03-11-2026

Jennifer Klever-Kirkman

Vote no. Allowing any form of conversion therapy should be considered child abuse. These are scientifically discredited practices that violate ethical standards of care. Why does our state legislature consider this a priority when our public schools are 27th in the nation, we are 44th in terms of patient to physician ratios, 50th in the nation for access to OBGYNs, last in economic growth and second in the nation for cancer rates? Get to the work of fixing the actual problems our state is facing instead of creating "solutions" for problems that don't exist!

03-11-2026

Anita Christensen

I urge you to vote against HF 2557. Socalled conversion therapy is not legitimate therapy. It has been rejected by every major medical and mental health organization, and even the United Nations has identified it as a form of torture. Please oppose this bill and protect young people from harmful interventions.

03-11-2026

AMBER TEUBERT

I urge you to consider clinical and ethical evidence when evaluating legislation related to conversion therapy.Research shows those exposed have nearly double the odds of suicidal ideation, 75% higher odds of suicide planning, and 88% higher odds of suicide attempts. LGBTQ youth experience more than twice the rate of suicide attempts, plus higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.Under Iowa Code 232.68, child abuse includes mental injury; substantial impairment of a child's psychological functioning. Practices linked to increased suicidality and trauma meet this definition.The American Counseling Association prohibits coercive attempts to change a client's sexual orientation or gender identity, calling such practices harmful and ethically impermissible.Please oppose legislation that shields practices proven to cause psychological harm to children.

03-11-2026

Deborah McClure

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Conversion therapy isnt a therapy at all, its a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. The bill is wrapping itself on the guise of more parents rights, parental rights do not extend to child abuse.

03-11-2026

Renae Angeroth

Please vote NO on HF2557. I think we have all moved away from the thinking that being homosexual is a choice. Trying to convince someoneespecially a young personthat they are wrong, or sinful, or making a bad choice because they are homosexual will not change their sexual orientation or gender identity. It will, unnecessarily, make them feel guilt and confusion. Thank you for voting against this legislation.

03-11-2026

Terrii Hale

Please vote NO on HF2557.This measure allows parents to abuse children by using shame to try to convince them that they are not who they believe themselves to be. How awful is it for a child if the adults that they trust most in the world try to force them to doubt their own true selves? That is crazymaking!That is what conversion therapy is. Child abuse. Pure and simple.Instead of legalizing tyranny against LGBTQ kids, the state should be enabling and encouraging a healthier approach: educate the actual people who are confused: those who do not understand what it means to be LGBTQ. It shouldn't be the burden of the children to teach their parents. Parents should seek to understand, not commit psychological torture on their children. Legislators have the opportunity to lead our state with compassion and understanding and acceptance for all of our citizens.Please vote against this horrendous bill.

03-11-2026

Helen Waldmeir

While I understand this bill is based on a partisan issue, it's deeply disappointing that any governing body would condone socalled "conversion therapy." On one hand, this is an antiscience and health bill, as this practice's efficacy has been disproven multiple times; on the other hand, a bill that protects a form of torture condemned by the United Nations is basely hypocritical. I believe in protecting and empowering parents, and I don't believe that any loving parent would feel their child is safe with this bill passed. After the death of Jakory McMillian earlier this week, it is already a challenge to accept that children are safe in Iowa; rejecting this bill would prove that Iowa legislators do, in fact, care for their and families' safety in this state.

03-11-2026

Alice Claussen

I am vehemently opposed to HF2557 and implore the subcommittee members to vote "No" on this bill. Conversion therapy has long been discredited. It does nothing to influence an individuals gender identity and/or sexuality and it can cause serious mental trauma. Why would Iowa want to slide backwards in the quality of it's healthcare? The changing landscape of gender identity and sexuality can be confusing for individuals raised in a different time. Do not let your discomfort and ignorance allow for harmful practices to occur when individuals are at their most vulnerable.

03-11-2026

Jane Robinette

You'll hear people say this is about parental rights which sounds reasonable. I support parental rights. But actually this bill would permit parents to engage in the dangerous and discredited practice of "conversion therapy," which is the opposite of therapy. It attempts, without scientific support, to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Every major medical and mental health organization rejects the practice. The U.N. considers it a form of torture. So, while I support the rights of parents, I do not support laws that protect child abuse as this would do. Please vote NO on this bill.

03-11-2026

John Olsen [self]

Please VOTE NO on HF 2557. Conversion therapy is dangerous and only further damage the mental health of children. It is in the bill on page 1 line 12 through line 16. Please stop the HATE on the transgender community!

03-11-2026

Medea Saunders

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Conversion therapy isnt a therapy at all, its a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Leah Otting

Another bill for "parental rights" that ultimately translates to making children more vulnerable to abuse. Please vote no to this bill. The research is very clear on conversion therapy practices; they are not theraputic, they are psychologically and sometimes physically abusive. We should pass laws that protect children and their right to be seen, heard, and accepted for who they are. Vote no to protecting abusive, selfish, and homophobic parents.

03-11-2026

Mathew Terronez [Matt Terronez]

03-11-2026

Larissa Boeck

OPPOSED. The purpose of this bill is to enable conversion therapy to be used on children. Major medical organizations including American Psychological Association and American Medical Association condemn conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful, linking it to increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ youth. Licensed professionals are ethically barred from providing conversion therapy so it would push vulnerable children toward unregulated, unlicensed providers. This bill reinforces a strict binary view of sex/gender, thereby invalidating trans and nonbinary children's experiences in legal and family contexts. HF 2557l is part of a broader pattern that normalizes rejection of trans identities, increases vulnerability to harassment or family rejection, and will lead to higher rates of mental health crises. This bill protects abusers, not children. That's not what Iowans want. Please vote no on this harmful legislation.

03-11-2026

Kristin Watson

Please vote NO on HF2557. This bill cloaks a green light for conversion "therapy" in the rhetoric of parental rights. Conversion therapy is not therapy; it is a practice the UN has designated as torture and 27 US states and counting have outlawed. Enacting it as a right of parents would not only represent state approval of child abuse, it would be yet another instance of Iowa being on the wrong side of progress. At a time when young people are leaving this state in droves (both my 20somethings have fled, as have many of their friends), the main issue here is, of course, not abusing children. But a major secondary issue is the future of a state that cannot keep or attract residents because of the seemingly endless parade of legislation making it a more and more unattractive place to live and work.

03-11-2026

Nichole Eden

Please vote NO on HF 2557. Previous commenters have eloquently stated the many reasons this bill is harmful and needs to be stopped. Please turn your attention away from culturewars and on to the more pressing issues happening in this state (water quality, cancer rates, limited access to health care, etc.).

03-11-2026

Chelsea Wachholz [Journeys Massage]

Please do not support this bill. This is condoning and legitimizing antiquated practices of conversion therapy. This practice is harmful to children, is outright discrimination, and criminal in the harm it will do to individuals with or without a diagnoses gender dysphoria.

03-11-2026

Jasper Mars

I OPPOSE this bill. This is will legalize conversion therapy, which is proven to be extremely harmful and even dangerous. Conversion therapy has been proven time and time again as ineffective and has been discredited by major medical and mental health organizations. Conversation therapy falsely claims to be able to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Danger rises as individuals, especially minors, are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, drug use, being unhoused, and suicide. Iowans deserve protections over identity and expression. Iowans have already began fleeing Iowa after last years harmful Civil Rights Removal act. Please uphold your promise that you made when you were sworn in to support, uplift, and protect Iowans.

03-11-2026

Kelly Green

Children deserve policies that are focused on their wellbeing and safety while being grounded in credible medical standards. Please vote NO on this bill and ensure Iowa does not move toward endorsing or protecting practices that have been widely condemned as harmful to children.

03-11-2026

Madi Brauer

Please vote NO on HF 2557! Conversion therapy is abuse, plain and simple. People that partake in conversion therapy sometimes resort to physical abuse to force LGBTQIA+ youth to associate their sexual orientation and authentic gender expression with pain. The United Nations considers conversion therapy a form of torture. Not only that, but it costs money. The cost of conversion therapy on the U.S. economy is an estimated $9.23 billion each year (Movement Advance Project 2025 Report). 23 U.S. states have passed legislation that protects minors from conversion therapy, and EVERY SINGLE BILL has passed with Republican support. Please protect the children of Iowa and set an example for our country. Vote No on HF 2557!

03-11-2026

Emily Plummer

I strongly OPPOSE HF2557. This bill allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all, it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Mary Schenkenfelder

As a licensed psychologist living and working in Iowa, I urge you to vote "NO" on HF2557. Any law that would make it easier to practice conversion therapy is dangerous, and should be opposed. As a psychologist, evidence is important to me. I make treatment decisions based on research and evidence, not based on feelings or ideology. The evidence about conversion therapy is very clear: Conversion therapy does not work, and conversion therapy causes harm (including depression, suicide attempts, lower educational attainment, and lower income levels). When put this way, the choice is clear. The risks of allowing conversion therapy are enormous, and the possible benefits are vanishingly small.

03-11-2026

Maya Hayslett

I am OPPOSED to HF2557 and ask the subcommittee members to vote NO. This bill, specifically on page 1, lines 1216, would legalize the harmful and discredited practice of trying to change someone's gender with therapy. Conversion therapy is a discredited practice (American Psychological Association and American Psychiatry Association)that is ineffective and harmful. Please protect our children, let them be themselves, they are hurting no one by expressing themselves. My children are perfect they way they are, please protect them. We need to expand protections for LGBT youth and adults, they are Iowan's too, you represent them too.

03-11-2026

Erin Gill

The best outcome for any child is a strong relationship with their caregivers. Conversion therapy destroys these relationships and causes harm to kids who are already marginalized by living in a culture that approves only heterosexual / cisgender experiences. The LGBTQ+ community existing causes no harm. This bill will break apart families and ruin childrens lives.

03-11-2026

Marissa Jennings

I strongly oppose HF2557. It allows parents to practice conversion "therapy," which is a form of child abuse. It is pseudoscience that has been rejected by every medical and mental health organization, and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. Conversion "therapy" does not change someone's sexual orientation or gender identityit only serves to harm and traumatize young people. Everyone deserves to be free to be who they are, and we have a special responsibility to protect children. Please vote "No" on this dangerous bill and protect the kids of Iowa from this discredited and horrifying practice.

03-11-2026

Eleanor Bakke

Please vote NO on HF2557. This bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all, it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. EVERY medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Christine Irvine

Please vote no on conversion therapy!!!Conversion therapy is widely discredited by legitimate mental health and healthcare professionals and organizations. It results in psychological harm.Conversion therapy teaches children (and adults) that being LGBTQ is wrong and to disregard their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Iowa Legislature should not be legitimizing a dangerous practice or considering legislation that will only result in harming children.Iowa has so many other important issues that are being ignored, related to water quality, cancer rates, funding of public schools...etc. Giving attention to a practice that is widely discredited, is harmful and mean just makes Iowa look stupid. Chris Irvine2526 Thornton AvenueDes Moines 50321

03-11-2026

Jamie Nicolino [SMALL BUSINESS OWNER - THE COLLECTIVE]

I urge you to please vote NO on HF2557. I am writing you today as an extremely concerned Iowan dangerous bills like this should not ever make it to committee, medical and mental health organizations have rejected such "conversion therapy" practices and deemed them as forms of torture. This bill is dangerous and causes direct harm to children and families here in Iowa. As an Iowa native and small business owner in our local community in Des Moines, I am utterly ashamed that this bill has even crossed into subcommittee removing civil rights of Iowans is NOT OKAY, torturing children is NOT OKAY. Perhaps our state legislators should be focused on more important things affecting Iowans like the drinkability of our water and the rising cancer rates affecting far too many Iowans. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices. It is bills like this that are pushing families out of Iowa. WE MUST DO BETTER.

03-11-2026

Hannah Mossberg

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all; it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice, and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices. This bill will KILL KIDS not save them.

03-11-2026

Kathleen Winter

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Conversion therapy isnt a therapy at all, its a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices

03-11-2026

Elizabeth Sloan

AGAINST!!!This bill is dangerous for many, many reasons. Most importantly it is legislation that will harm children. This is NOT something Iowans with any moral character believe should be happening to children. DO NOT ALLOW this to move forward.

03-11-2026

Alicia D'Hont

Please vote NO on HF2557. While I support parents rights, the practice of conversion therapy is widely discredited and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. Please vote no on this bill to protect young Iowans from child abuse.

03-11-2026

Chantal Rozmus

My name is Chantal Rozmus. I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist who was trained in Iowa and continues to practice here. I am writing today to urge the subcommittee to vote NO on HF2557. In my time spent working on inpatient psychiatric units, I met MULTIPLE queer youth who were there because of suicidal ideation as a result of their homes not being a safe place. I met youth who attempted to end their lives because of conversion therapy. Every medical and mental health organization rejects the practice of conversion "therapy", and the United Nations considers it to be a form of torture. Putting someone in conversion therapy is like trying to "cure" someone for being lefthanded, and telling them it is immoral and unnatural. This doesn't make the person no longer lefthanded, and it does create significant shame, anxiety, and low selfesteem. Iowa's queer youth deserve better. We aren't trying to make kids queer; we're trying to keep your queer kids alive. HF2557 does the opposite.

03-11-2026

Ashton Bierman

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents or guardians to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Conversion therapy isnt a therapy at all, its a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. I implore you to vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Tilly Woodward

I stongly urge you to vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. Conversion therapy isnt a therapy at all, its a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents' rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Linda Hunsaker

03-11-2026

Nicholas Klinkefus

This bill protects parents rights at the expense of greenlighting the abusive practice of "conversion therapy", which has been denounced by every major medical and mental health association in the country. This is dangerous. As both a mental health professional here in Iowa and a survivor of conversion therapy, I can't imagine the rationale that justifies opening this door. I'm a strong supporter of parents rights but cannot, in anyway, support a bill that enables child abuse to occur. Please vote "no"!

03-11-2026

Stephanie Edmonds

As a nurse scientist who works alongside clinicians and families, I oppose HF2557. Child protection laws exist to allow trained professionals to evaluate each situation based on evidence, safety, and the wellbeing of the child. This bill preemptively removes certain behaviors from being considered abuse, regardless of their impact on a childs mental or physical health. Legislating clinical and family decisions in this way undermines evidencebased practice and restricts the ability of healthcare providers, educators, and child protection professionals to respond appropriately when a child may be at risk.

03-11-2026

Kim Stewart

Vote No on HF2557It is a very harmful bill. Let parents and providers decide this. . You need licensed medical professionals who know what they are doing and people who have no knowledge or experience with. It will be very bad for this young pass. We need to protect children from this type of treatment.

03-11-2026

Emily Harsch

Vote no on this bill. In 2022, economists looked into the total cost of conversion therapy efforts in the US and found $9 BILLION was spent on conversion therapy $8.5 BILLION of that was spent on treating related suicidality, substance misuse, and mental distress following failed conversion therapy attempts. If you pass this bill, you will be opening up Iowa to further spending on a preventable mental health crisis. Will the fiscal note include economic consideration of unnecessarily increased mental health services and burial fees for youth forced through these practices? Will the fiscal note account for lawsuits from reunited or grieving caregivers who don't consent to their children receiving nonevidence based treatment in foster care?Citation: Forsythe A, Pick C, Tremblay G, Malaviya S, Green A, Sandman K. Humanistic and Economic Burden of Conversion Therapy Among LGBTQ Youths in the United States. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(5):493501. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0042

03-11-2026

Lisa Griffore

Please vote NO. This bill aims to redefine child abuse and allows parents to send their children through conversion therapy. Conversion therapy has been proven to not only be ineffective, but also harmful. If you believe in protecting children, you will vote no.

03-11-2026

Matthew Wilson

Please vote NO on HF2557. Conversion therapy is a debunked, discredited, ineffective, and abusive practice. Medical and mental health organizations have consistently rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. Why would you approve of this abuse of vulnerable young Iowans? Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from the harmful abuses of conversion therapy.

03-11-2026

Monica Basile

Please protect our children and vote NO on this bill. "Conversion therapy" is rejected by all medical and mental health organizations and is considered a form of torture by the United Nations. Please reject legislation that condones child abuse.

03-11-2026

Luke Tarr

I am strongly OPPOSED to HF2557. Conversion "therapy" is not therapy at all, but rather a practice that has no scientific basis and is regarded as harmful by accredited medical and mental health professionals. This practice is abusive and puts young individuals at a greater risk for suicide. I do not support legislation that protects child abuse.

03-11-2026

Loulwa Soweid

I OPPOSE THIS BILL AND URGE YOU TO VOTE NO. Anyone supporting this bill is literally protorturing LGBTQ+ children and punishing them for being who they are, and if you support this bill then you do not care IN THE SLIGHTEST for their actual health and wellbeing. This is a disgusting, abysmal, homophobic and transphobic bill that will not benefit ANYONE AT ALL.

03-11-2026

Lindsey Krotz

I strongly oppose HF 2557. Not only is conversion therapy proven an ineffective pseudoscience by nearly every medical camp, it's also banned by the UN because its classified as TORTURE. Conversion camps drive up mental health concerns like suicide, houselessness, and only increase suffering for the person being subjected to this vile form of torture. Vote NO on HF 2557

03-11-2026

Bobbi-Jo Molokken

While parts of this bill may sound reasonable on the surface, it appears to address a situation that is not occurring under current Iowa law and therefore serves little practical purpose. As a licensed mental health therapist who recently completed Iowas mandatory reporter training, none of the actions described in this bill are currently defined as child abuse. Iowa has already banned medical transition services for minors, meaning parents cannot be charged with abuse for declining services that are already illegal.My concern is that creating broad statutory protections like this could unintentionally weaken existing child protection laws. In certain cases, it could make it harder to intervene if a child were experiencing severe emotional or verbal harm from a parent simply because that harm was framed around gender identity. Child abuse laws should protect children from harm in any context without creating carveouts that could limit accountability.

03-11-2026

Jennifer Cooley

I strongly oppose this bill and encourage a NO vote. Conversion therapy is a crock and dangerous. More Iowans will lose their lives to suicide if you pass this bill, not to mention how many taxpayers will move out of this state. That's what it comes down to you people, money, not lives or humanity. So if you want to keep people here stop voting for ignorant legislation that is harmful culture war nonsense and doesn't make anyone's life better.

03-11-2026

Morgana Moon

I am a resident of Des Moines, and a lifelong resident of Iowa. I am appalled at the cruelty that is HF2557. If we were dealing with decent human beings, I would ask them to try and put themselves in the shoes of those who will be most harmed by this bill. Unfortunately, we are not dealing with decent human beings. The cruelty is the point. For a political party who claims to be "prolife," this is about as hypocritical as it can get. The harm this bill will cause is astronomical. We should protect children from abuse, not legalize it. The data regarding the harm of conversion therapy is already readily available. Why ignore facts to pursue a harmful, bigoted, and hateful agenda? Those who vote in favor of HF2557 should be held liable for each child that is harmed and/or takes their own life as a result of being subjected to abuse allowed by this bill. History will remember those who vote in favor of this bill as cruel cowards. Your legacy will be your cruelty. Please oppose HF2557.

03-11-2026

Stacy Volmer

House File 2557 is a dangerous and discriminatory bill that places ideology above the wellbeing of vulnerable children. By shielding parents and caregivers who refuse to recognize a childs gender identity, this legislation sends a harmful message that the state will ignore the mental health, dignity, and safety of LGBTQ youth.This bill weakens child protection standards and interferes with the ability of professionals, schools, and child welfare systems to respond when a child is in distress. Instead of protecting children, it creates broad legal cover for actions that can cause real psychological harm.Transgender youth already face higher risks of depression and suicide. The state should be supporting families and protecting kids, not targeting them or invalidating who they are.I urge lawmakers to reject House File 2557 and prioritize policies that protect the safety, health, and dignity of all Iowa children.

03-11-2026

Christy Steva

Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all, it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-11-2026

Allie Smaha

I am strongly opposed to HF2557 and ask the subcommittee members to vote NO on this deeply harmful piece of legislation that would legalize types of therapy commonly known as conversion therapy, widely discredited across the medical and scientific community. This legislation is not in the best interest of Iowans or Iowas children, and as a parent Im appalled by the continued focus on harming the LGBTQIA+ community through these types of legislation rather than focusing on issues like food insecurity and clean water that actually impact our families.

03-11-2026

Eric Kochneff

As a lifelong Iowa resident I OPPOSE this bill. I scrolled through the notes to see if I could find any support comments, and the only one was at the very bottom of the list from an out of state/Washington DCbased lobbying group. All the other comments were opposing from Individual Iowans. Please vote no on this.

03-11-2026

Amanda Caraballo

I urge all subcommittee members to vote against HF 2557. Conversion therapy is child abuse. The American Medical Association opposes the use of conversion therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity. The AMA states that, "These practices may increase suicidal behaviors and cause significant psychological distress, anxiety, lowered selfesteem, internalized homophobia, selfblame, intrusive imagery and sexual dysfunction.". The "techniques" of conversion therapy often include electric shock and starving people. If a parent does that to their child, that is not the "parents' rights", that is child abuse. Our legislators should not be legalizing child abuse and putting our LGBTQ+ youth in greater danger like this. Please vote no.https://www.amaassn.org/publichealth/populationhealth/advocatinglgbtqcommunity

03-11-2026

Karen Maass

Vote NO on this bill. It puts forward the harmful practice of conversion therapy. This discredited practice has been condemned by all medical associations including the American Medical Association and American Pediatric Association. Passing this bill will open the door to psychological and emotional torture and possibly death by suicide of extremely vulnerable children. Why is this legislature promoting bills to hurt children? How did this bill even come up in a subcommittee? I believe in parental rights, but abusing a child is not a parental right. Again, I urge the subcommittee to vote NO.

03-11-2026

Deanne Edwards

There is an overwhelming amount of research that shows conversion therapy not only has no benefit, but that it actually inflicts harm. It increases depression and the risk of suicide. It literally takes two seconds to search the topic and find credible organization after credible organization disavowing the practice. This is a complete and utter waste of time. Im yet to see/hear from the constituency requesting this legislation. This is as they say a solution in search of a problem. And only if you think junk science shown to be harmful to vulnerable kids qualifies as a solution. Spend taxpayers time and money solving our economic problems, addressing our water quality, finding out why our cancer rates are astronomical anything useful. Its amazing that the party purporting to be about smaller govt is constantly trying to micromanage everyones lives.

03-11-2026

Traci Petty

I urge you to vote NO on HF2557. As a Christian, I believe that every human being is made in God's image, and this includes our LGBTQ+ siblings. This bill is incredibly harmful to our children as it would allow for conversion therapy, which has been proven to cause harm legitimate mental health and healthcare professionals agree on this. Instead of putting forth legislation that would hurt children, I implore you to instead find ways to do some good with the power that you have been given support legislation that keeps our children and communities healthy, fed, safe, and supported. 1 Peter 2:1: "So then, stop doing anything to hurt others. Don't lie anymore, and stop trying to fool people. Don't be jealous or say bad things about others".

03-11-2026

Katie Smith

As a licensed clinical psychologist here in Iowa I am urging this committee to please vote NO on HF2557.This bill sets the stage for allowing the use of a dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". While it has therapy in the name, I want to be clear this absolutely isn't a therapy at all; it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Conversion therapy is considered a form of torture by the United Nations, has been rejected by every medical and mental health organization, it violates ethical codes of every mental health profession, and several other states and countries abroad have banned this. Thus, anyone who would offer this type of therapy would be unlicensed. If I would need to report a colleague to the board for this practice, why would would we set the stage for parents to pursue this and ultimately offer protections for abusers? This bill is uninformed at best and sets a dangerous precedent. Vote NO!

03-11-2026

Lisa Martincik

I strongly oppose this dangerous bill. Children may be minors but they are still people wth human rights, and this bill disregards that. Conversion therapy has been discredited and rejected by every credible healthcare organization. Healthcare providers and beyond recognize it for what it is: torture. It is not responsible, it is not love, it is not based in evidence or experience or expertise. This bill is unjustifiable both ethically and in proven, reasonable, healthy outcomes. Might as well legislate an exorcist hotline while you're at it; couldn't possible do more harm. But even better would be to abandon this degraded and degrading bill.

03-11-2026

Dana McKeever Kent

I urge you to oppose HF 2557. I am a parent of young children and have a heart for those affected by this bill. I know you will hear from constituents in the subcommittee meeting about the grave effects the specific line items of this bill would have on LGBTQ children in various situations. This bill protects practices that go against the consensus of the medical and mental health fields.This bill does not demonstrate understanding or value of a child's experience of being treated without respect to their sense of self.This bill does not address how we can equip caretakers to help all types of children thrive.I firmly believe we can find ways to support parents (including foster and adoptive parents) and empower them to support children at the same time, while passing evidencebased legislation that better represents how Iowans value children.Please vote NO on HF 2557.

03-11-2026

Joseph Cheers

Please vote NO on HF2557. Iowans do not support conversion therapy. This practice is dangerous and does not provide anyone with any real positive change. Leaving them only with emotional and psychological damage. Medical and mental health organizations have rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices

03-12-2026

Andrea Nus

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I urge you to vote "NO" on HF2557. In a field where use of evidencebased practices are the standard, conversion therapy fails to meet this criteria. A 2016 Cornell University review of 47 peerreviewed studies regarding CT being effective while not causing harm, 12 concluded CT is ineffective and/or harmful. Only one study, with a minority of participants and several limitations that involved biased and unreliable selfreports found CT could be effective in changing one's sexual orientation. This is NOT considered evidence. The reviewers concluded "there is no credible evidence that sexual orientation can be changed through therapeutic intervention...there is powerful evidence that trying to change a person's sexual orientation can be extremely harmful." All major organizations in the field do not support CT. And neither should Iowa lawmakers. Please vote "NO".

03-12-2026

Taylor Toohill

VOTE NO on this bill. Conversion "therapy" not only is incredibly harmful to children's mental and physical health, it also does not work. The practice is condemned by every legitimate scientific group, including: American Psychological Association American Medical Association American Psychiatric Association American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy American Counseling Association National Association of Social Workers American Academy of Pediatrics American Academy of Physician Assistants Annals of Family Medicine American Foundation for Suicide PreventionDon't legalize child abuse

03-12-2026

Jonathan Danker

Vote No on HF 2557. This is discrimination against the gay community. Iowa has become very unsafe place to live and leaving because of laws like this. Its been proven that you cant change a persons attention. If you love Iowa, DONT SUPPORT HF2557.

03-12-2026

Elizabeth Cooney

Vote No on HF 2557. This is not what we need for our youth in Iowa as it would allow for emotionally and psychologically abusive practices to occur. Conversion therapy is harmful and traumatic to lgbtq+ individuals. Please listen to your constituents we do not want this.

03-12-2026

Chelsey Peterson

I urge you to vote No on HF 2557 as it is another in a line of bills made to harm our children in the name of 'protecting' them. Conversion therapy is abuse. I fear history continues to repeat itself because humanity does not learn the lessons God taught us. Please find the kindness and strength in your heart to not be cruel.Thank you,Chelsey Peterson

03-12-2026

Jessica Haverkamp

I am opposed to HF2557 and ask the subcommittee members to vote no. While I understand there are personal disagreements on best practices while raising children this bill would legalize the harmful and discredited practice of trying to change someone's gender with therapy. This practice has been discredited by every major medical association because it causes an increased risk of suicide and other mental health issues in its victims. If the heart behind this bill is the ultimate care of and health and wellbeing of children I ask that you vote no on this harmful legislation.

03-12-2026

Lisa Yerington [Christ Follower]

I would ask any of you that think this bill is right....what about transgender people frightens you? Why do you get up in the morning and let this turn you into a monster? How on a daily basis does another person's gender affect you? You will have blood on your hands if this goes through and we have more youth suicides. That will be on YOU!

03-12-2026

Angela Pittman

I urge you to please vote NO for HF2557. Despite the careful wording of this bill, the practices are consistent with conversion therapy. Valid research consistently shows that conversion therapy causes longlasting social and emotional consequences including, depression, anxiety, suicidal attempts, damage to familial relationships and PTSD. A 2015 study in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, surveyed 1,612 individuals who were subjected to conversion therapy. Only 3.2% reported a slight change in sexual orientation. Therefore, not only is the practice harmful to the child, but the practice is not successful. Politicians should be focused on protecting children rather than putting them at harm. This cannot be just about parental rights. If that was the case, then banning gender affirming healthcare to children 17 and under with parental approval should have been allowed and yet Iowa Republicans voted to take away those rights of parents. Please protect our children and vote NO.

03-12-2026

Amy Mellies [Episcopal Diocese of Iowa]

I urge you all to vote NO on HF2557 regarding conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is widely discredited by many mental health and healthcare professionals and organizations. This could results in a lot psychological harm. Conversion therapy is not only a very scary practice, but it teaches children (and adults) that being LGBTQ is wrong and to disregard their sexual orientation or gender identity. As both a parent and youth minister I know that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is not a sin or something that should be "prayed away." Each and every person is a beloved individual who is loved by God no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. Not understanding our children is a part of parenting, its a part of them finding out who they are and will be in the years to come. As parents we are called to care for our children, not harm them.Our Legislature should not be legitimizing a dangerous practice or making laws that will only result in harming children.

03-12-2026

Rick Phillips [Protect My Innocence]

Support HF2557. This should be a no brainer. Of course, we should teach and lead young people according to their biological sex. Let's not mix teaching with medical services. Adults lying to children is reprehensible and the state should never condone misleading our youth. We have an opportunity to eradicate transgenderism from further damaging the emotions of Iowa minors. Pass HF2557.

03-12-2026

Sara Wodka

Please vote NO on HF 2557. This bill protects and defends child abuse because it would allow for caregivers to consent for their child to participate in the discredited and harmful practice of conversion therapy. Please vote NO to protect our kids.

03-12-2026

Eric Saylor

I strongly oppose HF 2557. It misleadingly uses the banner of "parents' rights" to legalize conversion therapy, a discredited practice that serves no appropriate medical or psychological purpose. It is abusive, dangerous, and threatens the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth. Please reject this unnecessary and cruel bill.

03-12-2026

Benjamin Claes [- Select -]

NO on HF2557. I am opposed to this bill, Iowans do not want Conversion therapy to be legalized. Conversion Therapy isn't therapy at all, it's pseudoscientific abuse aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. As a parent, I do not support laws that legalize child abuse practices and child abusers. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful practices with no basis in science. I wish the IA legislature would stop wasting time and money targeting LGBTQ Iowans. IOWANS DO WANT: clean water, robust public education, and a strong, diverse economy. These are the things that actually help IA children and parents.

03-12-2026

Megan Hanson

I strongly oppose HF2557, and encourage the committee to vote NO. At its surface, this bill appears quite simple, but also begs the question as to "why" it's necessary. Of course a parent should raise and guide their child in ways that better the child. But,this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as conversion therapy. This bill would allow for abuse, this bill would allow for harm, and this bill ultimately is not looking out for the betterment of children. If our goal is to support and nurture and guide children as they navigate life, then why would we leave any possibility of abuse? Please vote NO.

03-12-2026

Allison Dunbar

OPPOSE HF 2557Every major medical organization: the AMA, APA, and American Academy of Pediatrics agrees: conversion therapy doesnt work and causes serious, lasting harm to children. This is settled science.HF 2557 doesnt protect parental rights. It protects abusers. Its broad language creates a loophole for unlicensed, unregulated individuals to access vulnerable children. It strips courts of the ability to recognize harm as harm in custody decisions.Iowa has always protected its children. This bill asks us to stop.Vote NO on HF 2557.

03-12-2026

Nicole VanderLinden

No. Again. Please. It's shocking that our legislators continue to act as if LGBTQ Iowans are the greatest threat facing our state. These bills are the only ones they seem interested in rushing to the governor's desk. It's gross.

03-12-2026

Meghan Hammond

I very much oppose this bill and urge a NO vote. Conversion therapy is destructive, period. It is our responsibility to support our kids and who they fundamentally are, not shame them into false submission. We need to raise our kids to be who they are, not what we think they should be.

03-12-2026

Amy Alesch

I am adamantly opposed to this bill. Please vote NO on HF2557. While it may sound fair enough on its face, this bill ultimately allows parents to engage in the dangerous, discredited practice known as "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy isn't a therapy at all, it's a pseudoscientific attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a young person. Because of this, every medical and mental health organization has rejected the practice and the United Nations considers it a form of torture. I support parents rights, but I do not support laws that protect child abuse. Please vote NO on this bill and protect our kids from harmful, discredited practices.

03-12-2026

Heather Frank

Vote NO on HF2557. This bill ultimately allows for "conversion therapy". Conversion therapy allows torture and child abuse. Every medical and mental health organization rejects the practice. The United Nations considers it a form of torture. I do not support laws that allow torture and child abuse.

03-12-2026

Kris Cameron

As a Mental Health professional, a parent, and a grandparent, I am OPPOSED to HF2557 and ask the subcommittee members to vote NO. This bill, specifically on page 1, lines 1216, would legalize the harmful, unethical and discredited practice of trying to change someone's gender with therapy. This practice doesn't work, causes an increased risk of suicide and other mental health issues in its victims, and has been discredited by every major medical association including the American Psychological Association. Yes, parents' rights are important, but child abuse is illegal. Parents' rights stop when a child is being harmed by the parents.

03-12-2026

Sabrina DeDore

03-12-2026

Miranda Maday

As a licensed psychotherapist , I strongly oppose any legislation that permits or promotes socalled conversion therapy. Every major medical and mental health organization in the United Statesincluding the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of Social Workershas rejected conversion therapy because it lacks scientific credibility and poses significant risks to mental health. Research consistently shows that individuals exposed to these practices experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, shame, substance use, and suicidal ideation.Public policy should ensure that therapeutic environments are safe, evidencebased, and affirming, not coercive or stigmatizing.For these reasons, I urge policymakers to reject legislation that enables conversion therapy. Mental health care should be guided by science, ethics, and compassionnot ideology.

03-12-2026

Marion Pruitt Jefferson

I strongly oppose HF2557. My beloved grandson is one of the trans youth that this Republican led legislature is mercilessly attacking. The passage of this misguided bill will only add further harm to this vulnerable population. "Conversion therapy" is universally discredited by legitimate mental health and healthcare professionals. "Conversion Therapy" results in psychological harm. It is not based in science, but is the product of rightwing evangelical Christian theology, which has no place is our democratic government. Passage of this bill will bring real and lasting harm to vulnerable children. Please vote NO.

03-12-2026

Katie Cabreriza [Cabreriza Counseling Inc]

I oppose bill HF2557. It harms vulnerable Iowans. As a mental health counselor in the Des Moines area, I witness on a daily basis the negative impact bills like this have on LGBTQIA Iowans of all ages. As you all know, conversion therapy and associated therapies are not supported by the American Counseling Association. Please oppose this bill. Thank you!

03-12-2026

Lynne Porter

Vote No on the bill HF 2557 that supports "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ children and teens. It is well documented that the trauma and anguish this type of treatment causes often leads to suicide or to running away from home and becoming homeless.I am so tired of and angry at this legislature for continually wasting their time and my tax money trying to legalize the abuse and destruction of basic civil rights of the LGTBQ+ community.Why not instead legislate to: protect Iowan senior citizens from elder abuse in nursing homes, make childcare more accessible and affordable for Iowa familes, make healthcare & mental healthcare more accessible and affordable for Iowans,help Iowa farmers and businesses with keeping cancer causing pollution out of our soil and drinking water ETC ETC ETC

03-12-2026

Dee Bosold

Oppose this legislation! Legalizing conversion therapy and other forms of gender discrimination would be harmful to adults, but this legislation is not about adults: this bill is about giving parents the legal right to shame and punish children for having the same needs I have (potentially including physical torture).

03-12-2026

Lisa McKinney

Big government does not belong in the homes of private decisions of families. This law will cause more harm than good. It is a proven fact that conversion therapy DOES NOT WORK. This will take us back to the mid 1900s, where suicide became the answer to those in the closet that were told their sexual preference was wrong. What is truly wrong is having state "officials" push their agenda onto families that have no desire to be interfered with. Have you not seen the exodus of families to other states that do not meddle in citizens private matters?!VOTE NO!

03-11-2026

Linda Schreiber

Not every baby is born strictly male or femaleand Iowa law needs to recognize that reality.Discussions about intersex conditions are sometimes mistakenly treated as debates about gender identity or sexual orientation. They are not. Differences in Sexual Development (DSD), also called intersex traits, are recognized biological variations involving chromosomes, hormones, or reproductive anatomy. Iowa families who encounter these differences deserve laws grounded in fact and compassion, not assumptions or prejudice. Thoughtful legislation can protect all Iowans, including those with Differences in Sexual Development, rather than leaving them vulnerable to discrimination.Laws that respect science and human variation protect all Iowansthose born typical and those born with Differences in Sexual Development alike. Please oppose HF 2557.Please read my attached letter.

Attachment