HB 2438 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

birth certificates; amendments; prohibition

HB 2438 prohibits changing the sex designation on a person's original birth certificate after sex change surgery or chromosomal verification, replacing previous provisions that allowed such changes. It requires physicians to verify gender transition or chromosomal changes for amendment requests but explicitly bans updating the sex marker on the original birth certificate. The bill also modifies rules for name changes, adoption-related amendments, and correcting factual errors on birth records. The legislation was passed by the Arizona House and Senate in April 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on May 2, 2025.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Vetoed

May 2025

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Vetoed May 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 4 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MODERATE

This bill modifies Arizona's birth certificate amendment procedures, primarily clarifying language around sex change operations and removing restrictions on which judges can issue amendment orders. The changes streamline administrative processes while maintaining protections for vital record accuracy.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on birth certificate amendments, but eligibility criteria for sex change operations were clarified and judicial authority over certain amendments was narrowed.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified language regarding sex change operations and chromosomal counts, removing redundant phrasing about 'registered birth certificate' to improve clarity.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed 'judge pro tempore' from the list of officials who cannot issue orders to amend birth certificates for sex changes, leaving only commissioners with this restriction.

TECHNICAL

Corrected section numbering inconsistencies throughout the document (e.g., 'D E' to 'D', 'C D' to 'C') and standardized formatting.

REQUIREMENT

Adjusted language in subsections regarding document retention and correction procedures to improve readability without changing substantive requirements.

Floor votes · House Feb 19, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 2, 2025

Vetoed

Vetoed by Governor

executive

Apr 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

1 primary · 14 co-sponsors