HB 16-1185 Summary

• Establishes the "2016 Birth Certificate Modernization Act" allowing Colorado residents to obtain a new birth certificate reflecting a different gender designation without requiring a court order.

• Requires written request signed under penalty of law from the person, parent (if minor), guardian, or legal representative, plus a statement from a licensed medical or mental health provider confirming the person has undergone surgical, hormonal, or other gender transition treatment or has an intersex condition.

• State registrar issues a new birth certificate (not amended) that supersedes the original and does not indicate any changes were made to gender designation or name.

• Permits legal name changes to be made before, during, or after the gender designation change with appropriate documentation, eliminating the separate court order requirement for name changes.

• Repeals prior law requiring court orders based on surgical procedures and grants Colorado courts jurisdiction to issue decrees for residents born in other states or foreign jurisdictions if those jurisdictions require court approval for gender designation changes on birth certificates.