Bill > SB59

This bill enhances legal protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals by expanding confidentiality requirements for court records related to gender and name changes. Specifically, the bill mandates that all petitions and associated court documents for gender and name changes must be kept confidential, regardless of the petitioner's age, and applies this protection retroactively for up to five years. If a court record is discovered to be improperly accessible, individuals can apply to the court to make those records confidential without charge. The bill introduces significant legal consequences for unauthorized disclosure, including the ability to file civil actions against parties who reveal these confidential records. Violations can result in mandatory damages of at least $5,000, potential punitive damages, and attorney's fees. The legislation is motivated by rising rates of harassment, discrimination, and violence against transgender and nonbinary individuals, with the bill citing statistics showing increased hate crimes and higher risks of violent victimization. By protecting personal information and allowing individuals to control when and how they disclose their gender identity, the bill aims to safeguard the mental and physical well-being of transgender and nonbinary people. The bill is being enacted as an urgency statute to take effect immediately due to the pressing need to address ongoing discrimination and potential harm.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB59