MA H4165

Amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 46 to update terminology from gendered terms like "mother" and "father" to gender-neutral language such as "parent," "person who gave birth," and "other parent" throughout birth, marriage, and death record statutes

Allows individuals 18 or older, emancipated minors, or parents/guardians of minors to change the sex designation on birth records to "female," "male," or "X" (indicating another or undesignated gender) via sworn affidavit without requiring medical documentation or court order

Permits name changes on birth records when requested alongside sex designation changes, with a 3-year window to request name changes after sex designation is modified (or 3 years after turning 18 if changed as a minor)

Enables parents to jointly request amendments to their minor child's birth record to update a parent's name following that parent's legal name change

Allows married parties to jointly amend marriage records to remove or change sex designations and update names upon submitting an affidavit and proof of legal name change