California Gov. Newsom signs SB 934 conversion therapy bill

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 934 on Sept. 26, 2026, as part of a six-bill package his office said responded to recent direct attacks on LGBTQ individuals by the federal government.

“vulnerable LGBTQ youth”

The governor's office lists SB 934 among the package's updates to California's conversion therapy ban, which it describes as protecting LGBTQ youth¹.

The governor's announcement describes the changes as updates to California's "longstanding" ban on conversion therapy, made to protect "vulnerable LGBTQ youth" after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down another state's ban¹.

Newsom framed the package in a statement as a response to the Trump administration¹. KQED says the signing came after the Supreme Court struck down Colorado's ban, the ruling that prompted the California update².

The governor's announcement lists the measure as "SB 934 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) — Sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts¹." It sits in a package with five other bills: AB 1930 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, AB 1775 by Assemblymember Chris Ward, SB 1023 by Senator Laird, SB 1114 by Senator Christopher Cabaldon and SB 1328 by Senator Sabrina Cervantes.

The 2026-27 Budget Act separately appropriated $10 million for what it calls gender affirming care services for children and youth¹.

Assemblymember Chris Ward, chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, said the signatures are a lasting testament as Newsom enters his final year in office. The California Family Council, which opposed the companion bill SB 1114, argued it protects secrecy at parents' expense. Equality California's Tony Hoang said the group will keep building on the progress².

Sources

1. Governor Newsom signs legislation protecting the LGBTQ community, pushing back on attacks by the Trump administration
2. Newsom Signs New Protections for LGBTQ, Reproductive Rights