Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle released the following statement Monday on Gov. Christie’s veto of legislation she sponsored to make it easier for an individual undergoing gender reassignment to obtain an amended birth certificate:
“The governor’s veto ignores all the nuances and complexities of gender reassignment. Simply put, every individual does not necessarily undergo sex reassignment surgery when transitioning genders. Yet, Gov. Christie’s veto ignores all the other processes they’ve undergone and makes sex reassignment their only option when it comes to changing their birth certificate to recognize their inherent self.
“Instead of updating a standard state procedure to be more inclusive and reflective of our changing society, the governor has once again chosen to pander to the right by masquerading behind baseless arguments,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).
The bill (A-2659) would have revised the requirements for obtaining an amended certificate of birth due to a change in sex.
Under current law, in order to obtain an amended birth certificate, a person must undergo sex reassignment surgery and provide the state registrar with a medical certificate from their physician indicating that their sex has been changed by surgical procedure.
Vainieri Huttle’s bill would have changed that requirement to stipulate that a person could submit a form completed by their licensed health care provider which indicates that they have undergone clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition, based on contemporary medical standards, or that the person has an intersex condition.