SB 626 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Sex Designation on Certificates of Birth, Licenses, and Identification Cards and Birth Information Histories (Birth Certificate Modernization Act)

SB 626 (Birth Certificate Modernization Act) updates Maryland law to simplify changing sex designation on birth certificates and identification documents. It removes the prior requirement for medical documentation (such as surgery or hormone treatment) to update a birth certificate, instead allowing a written request under penalty of perjury. The bill also expands options for sex designation on driver's licenses, ID cards, and moped permits beyond male/female. It specifically includes intersex conditions as a valid basis for changing sex designation on records, while maintaining court orders as an alternative path. This directly affects individuals seeking to update their sex designation on official state-issued documents.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Certificates of Birth, Licenses, and Identification Cards - Sex Designation (Birth Certificate Modernization Act) Third - Sex Designation on Certificates of Birth, Licenses, and Identification Cards and Birth Information Histories (Birth Certificate Modernization Act) · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill significantly expands the scope of birth record management by requiring the Secretary of Health to maintain a permanent, sealed 'birth information history' for every individual, separate from the public birth certificate. It also clarifies the specific medical and legal conditions under which a new birth certificate with a changed sex designation must be issued, distinguishing between minors and adults to prevent fraud while ensuring access for those with intersex conditions or undergoing gender-affirming treatment.
Scope change
The bill adds a new requirement for the state to maintain a private, historical database of birth information for all individuals, in addition to the existing rules for issuing new birth certificates.
REQUIREMENT

Requires the Secretary of Health to create and maintain a permanent, sealed 'birth information history' for every individual, containing historical records of birth date, name, sex designation at birth, and other required data.

Establishes that the new birth information history database is sealed, accessible only through specific legal processes, and exempt from the public information act.

ELIGIBILITY

Updates the criteria for issuing a new birth certificate with a changed sex designation to include specific medical standards for intersex conditions and gender transition, as well as a written request process for adults that includes an affidavit attesting the request is not for fraudulent purposes.

Adds a specific provision for minors or disabled persons under guardianship, allowing a parent or guardian to request a sex designation change on behalf of the individual without the requirement for an affidavit from the individual.

TECHNICAL

Reorganizes the bill's structure to add a new section (4-208.1) regarding birth information histories and modifies the repeal/reenactment of the Transportation article to reflect updated legislative formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

2517
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 49
Mar 7, 2026
D Democratic36
25 Yea 5 Nay 6
69% Yea
R Republican13
12 Nay 1
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
32
Key actions
14
Committee
10
Amendments
5
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Lam, A. Washington and Ready)
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Cullison, Martinez and Hutchinson)
upper
Apr 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Cullison, Martinez and Hutchinson)
lower
Apr 11, 2026
Introduced
Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Senate Refuses Concur House Amendments
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Health
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
Referred Health
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Mar 22, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (92-36-14)
house of delegates
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Lam) Adopted
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator Salling) Adopted
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 7, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (25-17-7)
senate
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance and Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Clarence Lam
Clarence Lam
DDemocratic
MD
12