Bill Text: NY S00056 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Enacts the "Gender Recognition Act"; repeals certain provisions of the vehicle and traffic law relating to driver's licenses.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-08 - REFERRED TO CODES [S00056 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-S00056-Amended.html



                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________

                                          56--B

                               2019-2020 Regular Sessions

                    IN SENATE

                                       (Prefiled)

                                     January 9, 2019
                                       ___________

        Introduced  by  Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Codes  --  committee
          discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
          to  said  committee  --  committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered
          reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

        AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, the vehicle and  traffic  law  and
          the public health law, in relation to enacting the "Gender Recognition
          Act";  and  to  repeal subdivision 1 of section 502 of the vehicle and
          traffic law relating to driver's licenses

          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:

     1    Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
     2  the "Gender Recognition Act".
     3    § 2.  Section 63 of the civil rights law, as amended by chapter 253 of
     4  the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
     5    § 63. Order. If the court to which the petition is presented is satis-
     6  fied thereby, or by the affidavit and certificate  presented  therewith,
     7  that  the petition is true, and that there is no reasonable objection to
     8  the change of name proposed, and if the petition be to change  the  name
     9  of  an  infant,  that  the interests of the infant will be substantially
    10  promoted by the change, the court shall make an  order  authorizing  the
    11  petitioner  to  assume the name proposed. The order shall further recite
    12  the date and place of birth of the applicant and, if the  applicant  was
    13  born  in the state of New York, such order shall set forth the number of
    14  [his] the applicant's birth certificate or that no birth certificate  is
    15  available.  The  order shall be directed to be entered and the papers on
    16  which it was granted to be filed [prior to the  publication  hereinafter
    17  directed]  in  the  clerk's office of the county in which the petitioner
    18  resides if he be an individual, or in the office of  the  clerk  of  the
    19  civil  court of the city of New York if the order be made by that court.

         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD03194-06-9

        S. 56--B                            2

     1  [Such order shall also direct the publication,  at  least  once,  within
     2  sixty  days  after the making of the order, in a designated newspaper in
     3  the county in which the order is directed to be entered and if the peti-
     4  tion is made by a person subject to the provisions of subdivision two of
     5  section  sixty-two  of  this  article,  in a designated newspaper in any
     6  county wherein such person was convicted if different from the county in
     7  which the order is otherwise directed to be  entered,  of  a  notice  in
     8  substantially  the  following form: Notice is hereby given that an order
     9  entered by the ............ court,............ county, on the ...... day
    10  of......., bearing Index Number..........., a copy of which may be exam-
    11  ined at the office of the clerk, located at .................,  in  room
    12  number.......,   grants   me   the   right   to   assume   the  name  of
    13  ...................   The city and  state  of  my  present  address  are
    14  .........................;   the   month   and  year  of  my  birth  are
    15  ................; the place of  my  birth  is  ....................;  my
    16  present name is .................................]
    17    §  3. Section 64 of the civil rights law, as amended by chapter 258 of
    18  the laws of 2006, and the closing paragraph  as  separately  amended  by
    19  chapters  258,  320  and  481 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as
    20  follows:
    21    § 64. Effect. If the order [shall be fully complied with,  and  within
    22  ninety  days after the making of the order, an affidavit of the publica-
    23  tion thereof shall be filed  in  the  office  in  which  the  order]  is
    24  entered,  the  petitioner  shall  be  known by the name which is thereby
    25  authorized to be assumed. If the surname  of  a  parent  be  changed  as
    26  provided  in this article, any minor child of such parent at the time of
    27  such change may thereafter assume such changed surname.
    28    [Upon compliance with the order and the filing of the affidavit of the
    29  publication, as provided in this section, the  clerk  of  the  court  in
    30  which  the  order has been entered shall certify that the order has been
    31  complied with; and, if] (1) If the petition states that  the  petitioner
    32  stands convicted of a violent felony offense as defined in section 70.02
    33  of  the penal law or a felony defined in article one hundred twenty-five
    34  of such law or any of the following  provisions  of  such  law  sections
    35  130.25,  130.30,  130.40,  130.45,  255.25,  255.26, 255.27, article two
    36  hundred sixty-three, 135.10, 135.25, 230.05, 230.06, subdivision two  of
    37  section  230.30  or  230.32,  [such] the clerk of the court in which the
    38  order has been entered [(1)] shall deliver, by first class mail, a  copy
    39  of  such certified order to the division of criminal justice services at
    40  its office in the county of Albany and (2) [upon the clerk of the  court
    41  reviewing  the  petitioner's  application for name change and subsequent
    42  in-court inquiry, may, in the  clerk's  discretion,  deliver,  by  first
    43  class  mail,  the petitioner's new name with such certified order to the
    44  court of competent jurisdiction which imposed  the  orders  of  support.
    45  Such  certification shall appear on the original order and on any certi-
    46  fied copy thereof and shall be entered in the  clerk's  minutes  of  the
    47  proceeding]  if  the  petition states that the petitioner is responsible
    48  for spousal support or  child  support  obligations  pursuant  to  court
    49  order,  upon  review of the petitioner's application for name change and
    50  subsequent in-court inquiry, the court may, in its discretion, order the
    51  petitioner to deliver by first class mail,  the  petitioner's  new  name
    52  with  such  certified order to the court of competent jurisdiction which
    53  imposed the orders of support. Such certification shall  appear  on  the
    54  original order and on any certified copy thereof and shall be entered in
    55  the court's minutes of the proceeding.

        S. 56--B                            3

     1    §  4.  Section 64-a of the civil rights law, as amended by chapter 241
     2  of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
     3    §  64-a. [Exemption from publication requirements] Sealing name change
     4  papers. 1. If the court shall find that [the publication] open record of
     5  an applicant's change of name would jeopardize such applicant's personal
     6  safety, based on  totality  of  the  circumstances  [the  provisions  of
     7  sections  sixty-three  and sixty-four of this article requiring publica-
     8  tion shall be waived and shall be inapplicable. Provided,  however,  the
     9  court  shall  not deny such waiver soley on the basis that the applicant
    10  lacks specific instances of or a personal history of threat to  personal
    11  safety.   The], the court shall order the records of such change of name
    12  proceeding [to] be sealed, to be opened only by order of the  court  for
    13  good  cause  shown or at the request of the applicant.  For the purposes
    14  of this section, "totality of the circumstances" shall include, but  not
    15  be limited to, a consideration of the risk of violence or discrimination
    16  against  the applicant, including such applicant's status as transgender
    17  or as the subject of domestic violence.  The court shall not  deny  such
    18  sealing  request  solely  on the basis that the applicant lacks specific
    19  instances of or a personal history of threat to personal safety.
    20    2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, pending such a  finding
    21  in subdivision one of this section where an applicant seeks relief under
    22  this  section, the court shall immediately order the applicant's current
    23  name, proposed new name, residential and business  addresses,  telephone
    24  numbers,  and any other information contained in any pleadings or papers
    25  submitted to the court to be safeguarded and sealed in order to  prevent
    26  their  inadvertent or unauthorized use or disclosure while the matter is
    27  pending.
    28    § 5. The civil rights law is amended by adding a new  article  6-A  to
    29  read as follows:
    30                                 ARTICLE 6-A
    31                          CHANGE OF SEX DESIGNATION
    32  Section 67. Petition to change of sex designation.
    33          67-a. Order.
    34          67-b. Sealing change of sex designation papers.
    35    §  67.  Petition to change of sex designation. 1. A petition for leave
    36  to change sex designation may be made by a resident of the state to  the
    37  county  court  of the county or the supreme court in the county in which
    38  such resident resides, or, if such resident resides in the city  of  New
    39  York, either to the supreme court or to any branch of the civil court of
    40  the  city  of New York, in any county of the city of New York. The peti-
    41  tion to change the sex designation of an  infant  may  be  made  by  the
    42  infant  through  either  of  such  infant's parents, or by such infant's
    43  general guardian or by the guardian of such infant's person.
    44    2.  When an individual petitions the court to recognize  their  gender
    45  identity  or  to  amend the sex designation on an identity document, the
    46  court shall issue such an order upon receipt of an affidavit  from  such
    47  individual  attesting to their gender identity or reason for the change.
    48  No additional medical evidence shall be required to grant such  request.
    49  No  such  order  shall  be required to amend an identity document issued
    50  within New York state. No such order  shall  be  required  to  otherwise
    51  recognize  the  gender  of  an individual and treat them consistent with
    52  their gender identity within New York state or under New York state law.
    53    3.  Such request may be made simultaneously with a petition for change
    54  of name pursuant to section sixty or sixty-five of this  chapter  or  on
    55  its own.

        S. 56--B                            4

     1    §  67-a.  Order.  If  the  court to which the petition is presented is
     2  satisfied thereby, or by the affidavit and certificate presented  there-
     3  with,  that  the  petition  is  true,  and  that  there is no reasonable
     4  objection to the change of sex designation proposed, and if the petition
     5  be to change the sex designation of an infant, that the interests of the
     6  infant  will  be  substantially  promoted by the change, the court shall
     7  make an order authorizing the petitioner to assume the  sex  designation
     8  proposed.
     9    §  67-b.  Sealing change of sex designation papers. 1. Upon request of
    10  the applicant, the court shall order the records of such change  of  sex
    11  designation  proceeding  to be sealed, to be opened only by order of the
    12  court for good cause shown or at the request of the applicant.
    13    2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, pending such a  finding
    14  in subdivision one of this section where an applicant seeks relief under
    15  this  section, the court shall immediately order the applicant's current
    16  name, sex designation, proposed new  sex  designation,  residential  and
    17  business   addresses,  telephone  numbers,  and  any  other  information
    18  contained in any pleadings or papers submitted to the court to be  safe-
    19  guarded and sealed in order to prevent their inadvertent or unauthorized
    20  use or disclosure while the matter is pending.
    21    §  6.  Subdivision  3 of section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law is
    22  amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
    23    (d) The identification card shall display the sex designation of M, F,
    24  or X as certified by the applicant,  with  no  additional  documentation
    25  required. The applicant may amend the sex designation of their identifi-
    26  cation card upon request.
    27    §  7.  Subdivision 1 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as
    28  amended by chapter 487 of the laws of 2012, is REPEALED.
    29    § 8. Subdivision 1 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic  law,  as
    30  amended by chapter 465 of the laws of 2012, the third undesignated para-
    31  graph  as amended by chapter 248 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read
    32  as follows:
    33    1. Application for license. Application for a driver's  license  shall
    34  be  made to the commissioner. The fee prescribed by law may be submitted
    35  with such application. The applicant shall furnish such proof of identi-
    36  ty, age, and fitness as may  be  required  by  the  commissioner.    The
    37  license  shall display the sex designation of M, F, or X as certified by
    38  the applicant, with no additional documentation required. The  applicant
    39  may  amend  the  sex designation of their driver's license upon request.
    40  Upon amendment of the sex designation, the change shall be made consist-
    41  ent through all affiliated records within the control of the department.
    42  The commissioner may also provide that the application  procedure  shall
    43  include  the  taking  of  a  photo  image  or images of the applicant in
    44  accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner. In
    45  addition, the commissioner also shall require that the applicant provide
    46  [his or her] such applicant's  social  security  number,  shall  provide
    47  space  so  that  the  applicant may request a notation upon such license
    48  that the applicant is a veteran of the United States armed  forces,  and
    49  shall  provide space on the application so that the applicant may regis-
    50  ter in the New York state organ and tissue donor registry under  section
    51  forty-three  hundred  ten  of  the  public health law with the following
    52  stated on the application in clear and conspicuous type:
    53    "You must fill out the following section: Would you like to  be  added
    54  to  the  Donate  Life  Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this ques-
    55  tion'."

        S. 56--B                            5

     1    The commissioner of health shall not maintain records  of  any  person
     2  who checks "skip this question". Except where the application is made in
     3  person  or  electronically,  failure to check a box shall not impair the
     4  validity of an application, and failure to check "yes" or checking "skip
     5  this  question" shall not be construed to imply a wish not to donate. In
     6  the case of an applicant under eighteen years  of  age,  checking  "yes"
     7  shall  not constitute consent to make an anatomical gift or registration
     8  in the donate life registry, except as otherwise  provided  pursuant  to
     9  the  provisions  of  paragraph  (b) of subdivision one of section forty-
    10  three hundred one of the public  health  law.  Where  an  applicant  has
    11  previously  consented  to  make  an anatomical gift or registered in the
    12  donate life registry, checking "skip this question" or failing to  check
    13  a  box  shall  not  impair that consent or registration. In addition, an
    14  applicant for a commercial driver's license who will operate  a  commer-
    15  cial motor vehicle in interstate commerce shall certify that such appli-
    16  cant  meets  the  requirements to operate a commercial motor vehicle, as
    17  set forth in public law 99-570, title XII, and title 49 of the  code  of
    18  federal  regulations,  and  all  regulations  promulgated  by the United
    19  States secretary of transportation under the hazardous materials  trans-
    20  portation  act.  In  addition,  an  applicant  for a commercial driver's
    21  license shall submit a medical certificate at such intervals as required
    22  by the federal motor carrier safety improvement act  of  1999  and  Part
    23  383.71(h)  of  title  49  of the code of federal regulations relating to
    24  medical certification and in a manner prescribed  by  the  commissioner.
    25  For  purposes  of  this  section  and  sections five hundred three, five
    26  hundred ten-a, and five hundred ten-aa of this title, the terms "medical
    27  certificate" and "medical certification" shall mean a form substantially
    28  in compliance with the form set forth in Part 391.43(h) of title  49  of
    29  the code of federal regulations. Upon a determination that the holder of
    30  a commercial driver's license has made any false statement, with respect
    31  to  the application for such license, the commissioner shall revoke such
    32  license.
    33    § 9. Section 4132 of the public health law is amended by adding a  new
    34  subdivision 5 to read as follows:
    35    5.  Each  parent  of  the  child  may  choose  to be designated on the
    36  original certificate of birth or by amendment as "father" or "mother" or
    37  "parent".
    38    § 10. The section heading  and  paragraph  (e)  of  subdivision  1  of
    39  section 4138 of the public health law, the section heading as amended by
    40  chapter  201  of  the laws of 1972 and paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 as
    41  amended by chapter 214 of the laws of 1998, are amended and a new  para-
    42  graph (f) is added to subdivision 1 to read as follows:
    43    Birth  certificate;  new certificate in case of subsequent marriage of
    44  unwed parents; adoption; adjudication of parentage; change  of  name  of
    45  registrant or parent; gender transition of registrant or parent.
    46    (e) the certificate of birth of a child born out of wedlock as defined
    47  in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section four thousand one hundred
    48  thirty-five  of this article has been filed without entry of the name of
    49  the father and the commissioner thereafter receives  the  acknowledgment
    50  of  paternity  pursuant  to  section  one hundred eleven-k of the social
    51  services law or section four thousand one hundred thirty-five-b of  this
    52  article  executed by the putative father and mother which authorizes the
    53  entry of the name of  such  father,  and  which  may  also  authorize  a
    54  conforming change in the surname of the child; or,
    55    (f)  the commissioner shall issue a new birth certificate reflecting a
    56  change of gender to female, male, or X, without a court order,  for  any

        S. 56--B                            6

     1  person  born  in New York state who submits an application to change the
     2  gender on the birth certificate and an affidavit attesting under penalty
     3  of perjury that the request for a change of gender to (female, male,  or
     4  X)  is  to  conform  the  person's documents and records to the person's
     5  gender identity and is not made for any fraudulent purpose. A sex desig-
     6  nation of X shall not be a required sex designation of  any  individual.
     7  Upon  receipt  of  the documentation, the commissioner shall establish a
     8  new birth certificate reflecting the gender stated  in  the  application
     9  and  any change in name, if accompanied by a court order for a change of
    10  name.  If such application is made on behalf of a minor, such  affidavit
    11  shall be signed by the minor's parent, legal guardian, medical provider,
    12  or social services provider.
    13    §  11.  This  act  shall  take effect on the one hundred eightieth day
    14  after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately,  the  addition,
    15  amendment  and/or  repeal  of  any  rule or regulation necessary for the
    16  implementation of this act on its effective date are  authorized  to  be
    17  made and completed on or before such effective date.
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