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AB-433 Birth certificates: issuance.(2011-2012)



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AB433:v95#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 433
CHAPTER 718

An act to amend Sections 103425, 103430, and 103435 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to vital records.

[ Approved by Governor  October 09, 2011. Filed with Secretary of State  October 09, 2011. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 433, Bonnie Lowenthal. Birth certificates: issuance.
Under existing law, whenever a person born in this state has undergone surgical treatment for the purpose of altering his or her sexual characteristics to those of the opposite sex, a new birth certificate may be prepared reflecting the change of gender and any change of name. A petition for the issuance of a new birth certificate is permitted to be filed in the superior court of the county in which the petitioner resides. Existing law requires the petition to be accompanied by an affidavit of the physician documenting the sex change and allows for the filing of objections by any person who can, in those objections, show good cause against the change in birth certificate.
This bill would instead authorize a person who has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition to file a petition in any superior court to recognize the change in gender and, additionally, if applicable, a name change and request for a new birth certificate. The bill would make the physician’s affidavit conclusive proof of gender change if it contains specified language. The bill would delete the provisions of existing law that authorize the filing of objections, and would require the court to grant the petition if the affidavit shows that the petitioner has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition. The bill would also make related changes.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 103425 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

103425.
 (a) Whenever a person has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition, the person may file a petition with the superior court in any county seeking a judgment recognizing the change of gender.
(b) If requested, the judgment shall include an order that a new birth certificate be prepared for the person reflecting the change of gender and any change of name accomplished by an order of a court of this state, another state, the District of Columbia, or any territory of the United States.

SEC. 2.

 Section 103430 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

103430.
 (a) The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a physician attesting that the person has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition, based on contemporary medical standards, and a certified copy of the court order changing the applicant’s name, if applicable. The physician’s affidavit shall be accepted as conclusive proof of gender change if it contains substantially the following language: “I, (physician’s full name), (physician’s medical license or certificate number), am a licensed physician in (jurisdiction). I attest that (name of petitioner) has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition to (male or female). I declare that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”
(b) The petition shall be heard at the time appointed by the court. At the hearing, the court may examine on oath the petitioner, and any other person having knowledge of facts relevant to the application. At the conclusion of the hearing the court shall grant the petition if the court determines that the physician’s affidavit shows that the person has undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition.
(c) If the judgment includes an order for a new birth certificate and if the petitioner was born in this state, a certified copy of the decree of the court ordering the new birth certificate, shall, within 30 days from the date of the decree, be filed with the State Registrar. Upon receipt thereof together with the fee prescribed by Section 103725, the State Registrar shall establish a new birth certificate for the applicant.
(d) The new birth certificate shall indicate the sex of the registrant as specified in the judgment of the court and shall reflect any change of name specified in the application if accompanied by a court order, as prescribed by Section 103425. No reference shall be made in the new birth certificate, nor shall its form in any way indicate, that it is not the original birth certificate of the registrant.

SEC. 3.

 Section 103435 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

103435.
 In lieu of separate proceedings, a single petition may be filed with the superior court to change the petitioner’s name and recognize the change to petitioner’s gender and, if requested, to order the issuance of a new birth certificate. With respect to such a petition, the court shall follow the procedure set forth in Title 8 (commencing with Section 1275) of Part III of the Code of Civil Procedure; however, the order to show cause shall not include the petition to recognize the change of gender. A certified copy of the decree of the court issued pursuant to this section shall, within 30 days, be filed with both the Secretary of State and, if the judgment includes an order for a new birth certificate and if the petitioner was born in this state, the State Registrar. Upon its receipt, the State Registrar shall establish a new birth certificate as provided in this article.