Jesse J. Smith reports at HudsonValleyOne that in July Ulster County Executive Mike Hein signed a bill making the county the fourth community in New York to ban therapy that seeks to alter a youth’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The so-called “conversion therapy” passed by a unanimous vote of the Ulster County Legislature on June 20. The bill mandates one year in prison and fines up to $500 for anyone who practices conversion or “reparative” techniques on anyone under the age of 18 in Ulster County. So far, 14 states, the District of Columbia and 43 municipalities around the country have banned the practice. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that stops practitioners from seeking reimbursement from insurance companies. Read the full story at HudsonValleyOne.