Senate Bill S7441A

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7441A

SPONSOR: HAMILTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to the designation of sex by applicants for driver's licenses
and learner's permits

 
PURPOSE:

To allow New York State residents to identify as "non-binary," neither
male nor female, on their driver licenses and identification cards.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill amends section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law
adding a new subdivision 8 where any application required pursuant to
this section that requires the applicant to designate his or her sex
shall provide three options. Such options shall include "Male, "female",
and "X". Option "X" may be designated by any applicant who does not
identify as male or female.

              

Section 2 requires the department of motor vehicle to promulgate rules
and regulation and amend forms necessary to carry out the provisions of
this act.

Section 3 This act shall take effect on the nineteenth day after it
shall have become law; provided, however, that effective immediately.
The additional amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is
authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

As it stands, the only gender options given to applicants on driver's
licenses is either male or female. As issues dealing with gender identi-
ty become more and more prevalent in our society, institutions must
begin to reflect the changes taking place.

A 2016 study by the Williams Institute found that 1.4 million people
identify as transgender. This study highlights how a significant portion
of the population does not currently conform to the stereotypical gender
assignments of male and female. This law aims to adapt the current driv-
er's license and permit applications to accommodate those who do not
identify as either male or female and provide a third option.

For individuals who are transgender or gender non-conforming, having to
identify as either male or female on an official document is degrading
to that individual's personal identity. We should uphold and respect a
person's personal decision to identify in the way they feel comfortable
and one should not be forced to identify themselves as something they
are not.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Yet to be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the One Hundred Eighth day after it shall
have become law