What's happening
This bill requires New York driver's license and learner's permit applications to offer "male," "female," and "X" as sex designation options.
Why it matters
Expands personal identification options. By adding an "X" sex designation, the bill allows individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female to have their gender identity accurately reflected on official documents, reducing instances of forced mislabeling.
Improves privacy and safety. Nonbinary and gender nonconforming people often experience harassment or discrimination when their identification doesn’t match their gender presentation; this change can help minimize those risks.
Modernizes government records. Updating forms and systems to include nonbinary options aligns New York with emerging national and international standards, making state-issued IDs more widely accepted and relevant.
Signals state recognition of gender diversity. The legislation demonstrates an official acknowledgment of nonbinary identities, potentially influencing broader social acceptance and inclusion in other areas like healthcare, education, and employment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Third Gender Option
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 7441a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Add 'X' Gender Option
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7441--A
IN SENATE
January 18, 2018
Introduced by Sens. HAMILTON, ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. Designation of sex. 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". For purposes of this subdivision, option "X" may be designated by any applicant who does not identify as male or female.
§ 2. The department of motor vehicles is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations and amend forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13243-05-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.