A state Senate committee has given a green light to a bill that would block transgender people from changing the sex on their birth certificates.
That proposal would likely lose in court, according to the state attorney general’s office, and could cost taxpayers more than $1 million to defend.
A similar policy was already found unconstitutional in 2018 when a federal court mandated the state allow people to change the gender marker on their birth certificates.
Rep. Julianne Young (R-Blackfoot) acknowledged lawsuits are likely to be filed against her bill if it becomes law.
“We don’t get to choose who challenges us. We don’t get to choose who sues us. What we do get to choose is what we believe as a legislature, because making the law is a legislative role,” Young said.
She disagrees with the attorney general’s opinion, though, promising her measure would stand up in court.
The bill passed the House last month. If the full Senate signs off on it, it would go to Gov. Brad Little’s (R) desk for his signature or veto stamp.
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