Legislators Drop Plan To Make Driver's License Gender Change More Difficult

A bill which would require an amended birth certificate in order to change the gender on a person's Indiana driver's license is being put off.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – There may be no legislative action taken to make it more difficult for Hoosiers to change the gender listed on their driver’s license or other IDs.

The House Roads and Transportation Committee voted last week to amend Senate Bill 324 to requiring the Indiana BMV to be presented with a certified, amended birth certificate in order to change a person’s gender identity on a license.

The amendment came after the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced earlier this month that it would allow drivers to put their gender as an “X”, instead of “M” or “F” for male or female. In adding the third option, the agency said it was following credential standards recommended by the American Academy of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

On Tuesday, the bill was removed from the Indiana House of Representatives’ calendar.

House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) told the Associated Press that lawmakers decided to put the birth certificate requirement on hold after questions arose about inconsistencies with birth certificates. Some birth certificates list a gender, while others do not, varying by county or hospital.

The ACLU of Indiana was critical of the Republican-led transportation committee for the amendment, calling the move “spiteful interference” which would have long-term implications for the transgender community.

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