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Idaho Legislature sends bill prohibiting transgender people from altering birth certificates to governor for approval

Washington (CNN)Idaho’s Republican-controlled Legislature has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would effectively block transgender people in the state from changing the listed sex on their birth certificates to match their gender identity, despite a federal judge having before struck down a similar state ban.

HB 509, which was approved on Tuesday by the state’s Senate and by the state House last month, would allow for changes to be made to the document only up to a year after a child’s birth if the change is made to correct an error. The legislation argues that allowing people to change their listed sex “undermines the government’s interest in having accurate vital records.” Opponents, however, argue it unfairly targets people looking to obtain accurate documentation in a move that will result in a costly legal challenge if the governor signs it.

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