Bill > SB626

This bill, known as the Birth Certificate Modernization Act, makes several changes to how sex designations are handled on official documents in Maryland. Firstly, it establishes a "birth information history" that the Secretary of Health will maintain for each individual, which will include a record of their sex designation at birth and any subsequent updates, though this history will be sealed and not publicly accessible. The bill also modifies the process for obtaining a new birth certificate when an individual's sex designation changes, allowing for such a change based on a written request from the individual (if an adult) or their parent, guardian, or legal representative (if a minor or under guardianship), provided the request is made under penalty of perjury and not for fraudulent purposes. Importantly, new birth certificates issued due to a sex designation change will no longer be marked as "amended" and will allow for the designation of "Female," "Male," or "Unspecified or Another," with an "X" marking used for the latter. Additionally, the bill updates requirements for licenses, identification cards, and moped operator's permits issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration to allow individuals to select "Female," "Male," or "Unspecified or Another" as their sex designation, also using an "X" to represent the latter option.