The Law Centre at the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity today delivered a formal letter to Dr. Jerome Larkin, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), demanding that the agency immediately cease enforcement of Rhode Island’s ban on conversion therapy for minors.
The action follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s March 21, 2026 decision in Chiles v. Salazar, which struck down Colorado’s similar law as a violation of the First Amendment. In that ruling, the Court held that prohibiting licensed counselors from discussing or providing therapy aimed at changing a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity restricts protected speech.
“Since the horrific Pawtucket ice rink shootings, there has been a public call for more access to mental health counseling. However, how can we increase access to appropriate counseling happen when many forms of appropriate mental health counseling are banned in Rhode Island,” questioned Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center. “This law has now been deemed unconstitutional and, therefore, unenforceable by the US Supreme Court. Until lawmakers fully repeal this evil law, at least the RI Department of Health can advise mental health professionals that they are now free to provide any related therapy they see fit and that RIDOH will not impose any disciplinary actions as the unlawful statute provides.”
Rhode Island’s law, found in Title 23, Chapter 94 of the General Laws (Sections 23-94-1 through 23-94-3), bans “conversion therapy” for individuals under 18. The statute broadly defines the term to include any practice intended to change sexual orientation or gender identity and authorizes disciplinary action against licensed professionals, including possible suspension or revocation of their licenses.
The letter, sent by Suzanne Cienki, Esq., Advisor to the Law Centre, calls on RIDOH to issue an unambiguous public statement confirming that it will not enforce the state’s provisions in light of the Supreme Court ruling. Specifically, the letter requests confirmation that RIDOH will abide by the decision and will no longer enforce Section 23-94-3(b), which subjects licensed professionals to discipline for engaging in conversion therapy with minors.
The letter states that continuing to allow the threat of professional discipline, that may include suspension or revocation of the professional license for engaging in conversion therapy, would unlawfully restrict freedom of speech and deny minors access to potentially beneficial counseling options offered by licensed professionals.
It further emphasizes that the Supreme Court ruling renders any moral, political, or emotional arguments in support of Rhode Island’s law irrelevant, reducing the issue to a straightforward constitutional matter. The Law Centre requests that RIDOH acknowledge in writing or through a public statement that Sections 23-94-2 and 23-94-3 are unconstitutional and unenforceable.
The letter warns that failure to respond or provide such assurances may lead the Law Centre to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of clients who have been harmed by the ongoing enforcement of the law. The full letter was emailed to Dr. Jerome Larkin and RIDOH is asked to reply.
The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting free-market principles, individual liberty, and limited government in Rhode Island. Its Law Centre engages in legal advocacy to protect constitutional rights.
