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The Virginia Senate’s Health and Education Committee on Thursday killed a bill that would have banned so-called conversion therapy to minors in the state.

Committee members struck down Senate Bill 245 — which state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax County) introduced — by an 8-7 vote margin.

State Sens. Richard Black (R-Loudoun County), Charles Carrico (R-Galax), Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield County), John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico County), Stephen D. Newman (R-Lynchburg), Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg) and Dave Suetterlein (R-Roanoke County) voted against SB 245. State Sens. George Barker (D-Alexandria), Janet Howell (D-Fairfax County), Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomack County), Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax City) and Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax County) voted for the bill.

“Upsetting to see Education and Health kill my conversion therapy bill,” tweeted Surovell after the vote. “Using harmful ‘therapy’ to convince youth they are unwell, simply for being who they are is WRONG. Conversion therapy in Virginia will end.”

Equality Virginia on its Twitter page thanked Surovell for his “leadership on this issue and for your efforts to protect Virginia’s youth.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia also expressed disappointment over the SB 245 vote.

State Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington County) has introduced an identical measure in the Virginia House of Delegates.