Amended IN Senate August 23, 2023 Amended IN Senate June 05, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 223Introduced by Assembly Member Ward(Principal coauthor: Senator Atkins)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Cervantes, Lee, and Low)(Coauthors: Senators Eggman, Laird, Padilla, and Wiener)January 10, 2023 An act to add Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to vital records. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 223, as amended, Ward. Change of gender and sex identifier.Existing law authorizes a person to file a petition with the superior court seeking a judgment recognizing their change of gender to female, male, or nonbinary, including a person who is under 18 years of age. Existing law authorizes a person to file a single petition to simultaneously change the petitioners name and recognize the change to the petitioners gender and sex identifier, as specified. This bill would require any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier or a petition for change of gender, sex identifier, and name filed by a person under 18 years of age, and any papers associated with the proceeding, to be kept confidential by the court. The bill would require the court to limit access to these records to specified individuals, including, among others, the minor, the minors parents, and their attorneys.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 103447 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:103447.SECTION 1. Section 103437 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:It is in the best interest for the public to keep these records confidential to ensure the privacy and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. Being outed is a traumatic event for any individual, especially for individuals under 18 years of age. Allowing our children to choose when and how they decide to share their personal details is vital in protecting their mental and physical health.
Amended IN Senate August 23, 2023 Amended IN Senate June 05, 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 223Introduced by Assembly Member Ward(Principal coauthor: Senator Atkins)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Cervantes, Lee, and Low)(Coauthors: Senators Eggman, Laird, Padilla, and Wiener)January 10, 2023 An act to add Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to vital records. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 223, as amended, Ward. Change of gender and sex identifier.Existing law authorizes a person to file a petition with the superior court seeking a judgment recognizing their change of gender to female, male, or nonbinary, including a person who is under 18 years of age. Existing law authorizes a person to file a single petition to simultaneously change the petitioners name and recognize the change to the petitioners gender and sex identifier, as specified. This bill would require any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier or a petition for change of gender, sex identifier, and name filed by a person under 18 years of age, and any papers associated with the proceeding, to be kept confidential by the court. The bill would require the court to limit access to these records to specified individuals, including, among others, the minor, the minors parents, and their attorneys.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate August 23, 2023 Amended IN Senate June 05, 2023
Amended IN Senate August 23, 2023
Amended IN Senate June 05, 2023
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 223
Introduced by Assembly Member Ward(Principal coauthor: Senator Atkins)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Cervantes, Lee, and Low)(Coauthors: Senators Eggman, Laird, Padilla, and Wiener)January 10, 2023
Introduced by Assembly Member Ward(Principal coauthor: Senator Atkins)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Cervantes, Lee, and Low)(Coauthors: Senators Eggman, Laird, Padilla, and Wiener)
January 10, 2023
An act to add Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to vital records.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 223, as amended, Ward. Change of gender and sex identifier.
Existing law authorizes a person to file a petition with the superior court seeking a judgment recognizing their change of gender to female, male, or nonbinary, including a person who is under 18 years of age. Existing law authorizes a person to file a single petition to simultaneously change the petitioners name and recognize the change to the petitioners gender and sex identifier, as specified. This bill would require any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier or a petition for change of gender, sex identifier, and name filed by a person under 18 years of age, and any papers associated with the proceeding, to be kept confidential by the court. The bill would require the court to limit access to these records to specified individuals, including, among others, the minor, the minors parents, and their attorneys.Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
Existing law authorizes a person to file a petition with the superior court seeking a judgment recognizing their change of gender to female, male, or nonbinary, including a person who is under 18 years of age. Existing law authorizes a person to file a single petition to simultaneously change the petitioners name and recognize the change to the petitioners gender and sex identifier, as specified.
This bill would require any petition for a change of gender and sex identifier or a petition for change of gender, sex identifier, and name filed by a person under 18 years of age, and any papers associated with the proceeding, to be kept confidential by the court. The bill would require the court to limit access to these records to specified individuals, including, among others, the minor, the minors parents, and their attorneys.
Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 103447 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:103447.SECTION 1. Section 103437 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:It is in the best interest for the public to keep these records confidential to ensure the privacy and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. Being outed is a traumatic event for any individual, especially for individuals under 18 years of age. Allowing our children to choose when and how they decide to share their personal details is vital in protecting their mental and physical health.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 103437 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.
SECTION 1. Section 103437 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.
103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.
103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.
103437. If a person who seeks a change of gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103430 or a single petition for change to the petitioners name and to recognize the change of the petitioners gender and sex identifier pursuant to Section 103435 is under 18 years of age, the petition and any papers associated with the proceeding shall be kept confidential by the court. The court shall limit access to the court records in the proceeding, including the register of actions, to the minor, any adult who signed the petition, the minors parents or guardians or guardians ad litem, any individual who is subject to an order to show cause related to the petition, and any attorneys representing these individuals.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:It is in the best interest for the public to keep these records confidential to ensure the privacy and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. Being outed is a traumatic event for any individual, especially for individuals under 18 years of age. Allowing our children to choose when and how they decide to share their personal details is vital in protecting their mental and physical health.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:It is in the best interest for the public to keep these records confidential to ensure the privacy and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. Being outed is a traumatic event for any individual, especially for individuals under 18 years of age. Allowing our children to choose when and how they decide to share their personal details is vital in protecting their mental and physical health.
SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 1 of this act, which adds Section 103447 103437 to the Health and Safety Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
### SEC. 2.
It is in the best interest for the public to keep these records confidential to ensure the privacy and safety of transgender and nonbinary youth. Transgender and nonbinary youth are 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers. Being outed is a traumatic event for any individual, especially for individuals under 18 years of age. Allowing our children to choose when and how they decide to share their personal details is vital in protecting their mental and physical health.