The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the amendment of birth certificates in Arizona. Under the new law, the State Registrar would be limited to amending birth certificates only for specific reasons, such as adoption or court orders, thereby enhancing the integrity and accuracy of vital records. Notably, the bill prohibits changes to a person's sex designation on their original birth certificate as a result of sex change surgery, which is a significant departure from current law that allows such amendments with appropriate documentation. Additionally, the bill removes the ability for the State Registrar to amend birth certificates based on sex change operations or chromosomal counts.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision that allows for the correction of factually inaccurate information on a birth certificate if sufficient evidence is provided, while ensuring that such corrections do not appear on the face of the certificate. It also mandates that the Bureau of Vital Records maintain a record of all evidence submitted for amendments. The bill explicitly prohibits commissioners from issuing orders to amend a person's name on their birth certificate, thereby centralizing this authority with the State Registrar. Overall, these changes aim to tighten the regulations surrounding birth certificate amendments and limit the circumstances under which such amendments can occur.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-337
House Engrossed Version: 36-337
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-337