Bill Signed to Simplify Gender Change on Birth Certificates

Governor David Ige signed a handful of bills Monday, including one that simplifies the process of changing an individual’s gender on their birth certificate, three relating to water resource management, and one involving retail liquor licenses.

With HB631, the documentation required when making a request to the Department of Health for the issuance of a new birth certificate with a sex designation has been reestablished.

Those seeking a change on their birth certificate are no longer required to go through a gender reassignment surgery in order to make the switch from one gender to another on their birth certificate.

In addition to HB631, Governor Ige also signed HB1273, HB1394, and HB393. The three involve a variety of water resource management issues.

HB1273 gives the approval to develop hydroelectric facilities for energy development in agricultural districts for agricultural use.

HB1394 requires the Department of Transportation airports division to conduct a water scalping feasibility study and authorize development of a process design for the implementation of water scalping technology, if available. A water scalping is an extraction of valuable, usable water from a sewerage network.

HB393 waives the Department of Health quality certification requirement for restoration, repair, and operation of Hawaiian loko i’a, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Governor Ige also signed HB770, authorizing restaurants that already have a liquor license to sell beer, malt beverages, or cider for off-premises consumption.