A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary provided is brief and lacks specific details, leading to some uncertainty in the exact scope of enforcement and consequences.

Indiana Bill on Gender Definitions and Facilities

This bill changes how Indiana defines 'sex' and 'gender', updates birth certificates, and sets rules about which bathrooms and changing areas people can use based on their sex.

What This Bill Does

• Defines 'sex' and 'gender' in the same way for all parts of Indiana's laws unless a specific law says otherwise.
• Sets rules for short form and long form birth certificates, including when they can be changed.
• Requires the Department of Health to update how sex is defined on official documents and reissue birth certificates if needed.
• Makes public buildings, schools, state educational institutions, and certain businesses designate separate restrooms and changing areas for males and females.
• Prohibits schools from requiring students or staff to use pronouns, titles, names, or nicknames that don't match their biological sex on official documents.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who need birth certificates updated
• Schools and educational institutions
• Public buildings and businesses with restrooms and changing areas
• The Department of Health

Terms To Know

Biological sex

A person's physical characteristics that determine if they are male or female.

Birth certificate

An official document showing when and where a person was born, including their name and biological sex.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how it will be enforced in schools or public places.
• It is unclear what the consequences are for people who do not follow these rules.
• The bill has passed both chambers of the Indiana legislature but has not yet been signed into law.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.
Gender matters.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.

Gender matters.

Defines "sex" and "gender" for purposes of the Indiana Code. States that the definitions of "sex" and "gender" are meant to be synonymous in the Indiana Code unless specifically defined otherwise and is clarifying language. Sets forth requirements of a short form birth certificate and a long form birth certificate. Specifies when a short form birth certificate may be amended. Requires the Indiana department of health to: (1) update the definition of "sex" used by the agencies; (2) identify birth certificates issued with a change in sex classification by court order; (3) change the sex on the birth certificate back to the originating sex and reissue the birth certificate; and (4) void the superseded document. Allows for the sharing of certain information among specified agencies for the purpose of reissuing a birth certificate. Requires public buildings, certain schools, state educational institutions, and certain businesses to designate multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas for the exclusive use of the male sex or the exclusive use of the female sex and provides, with exceptions, that an individual may only use a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designated for the individual's sex. Provides specified remedies for a violation of these requirements, including criminal penalties or civil actions. Provides that a school may not promote or encourage the use of, or require, compel, or coerce a student, an employee of the school, or a staff member of the school to use: (1) a pronoun, title, or other word to identify a student, school employee, or other individual that is inconsistent with the student's, employee's, or individual's biological sex; or (2) a name or nickname to identify a student that is inconsistent with the student's name on the student's birth certificate. Creates an exception. Prohibits the department of correction (department) and each county jail from housing incarcerated individuals in a facility that does not align with the incarcerated individual's sex. Creates a civil cause of action for the department's or a county jail's failure to comply with the prohibition.