ACTION ALERT!
Name Change Waiver of Publication Bill - Maryland House Committee Hearing on Tuesday February 5
What Does This Bill Do?
Under current law, when filing for a legal name change in Maryland, an individual is required to pay to publish a notice of name change in their local newspaper. A petition can be filed to waive the publication requirement, and could be granted by a judge. Publication adds weeks, sometimes months, to the process and can cost up to an additional $250. Publication is also a violation of a person's privacy. The publication can linger on the Internet indefinitely and have adverse results. Some have resulted in workplace discrimination and even violence, in the cases of trans people and survivors of stalking or domestic violence. The process of petitioning to waive the the publication requirement still is not granted in most areas of the state. A judge may deny any petition and require publication.
HB 427, however, would require courts to waive the publication requirement, thereby protecting the privacy of those changing their names. As a result, this will make the name change process quicker and more affordable. This will reduce one of the barriers transgender people and others face while trying to live their most authentic life.
What Can I Do Right Now?
1. Submit written testimony for the hearing on Wednesday. The more testimony we can get in support of this bill, the better. These are the rules for witnesses and testimony before the House Judiciary committee. In order to avoid needing to be in Annapolis the morning of the hearing, please email your testimony to Del. Emily Shetty's office (emily.shetty@house.state.md.us) and we will make sure your testimony is filed correctly. Please make sure to get your testimony to her office by Tuesday February 4 at 2pm so we can have it ready for the hearing on February 5.
When preparing your testimony, always make sure to include the bill number (HB 427) and a clear statement of your position (Support). It is impactful to write about your own experiences and how this legislation will make a difference for people like you and those in your community. If you are able, sharing your personal experience of the difficulties you or those you know have faced under the current law will help legislators understand the need for change.
2. If one of your Maryland Delegates is on the House Judiciary Committee, please contact them and ask them to support HB 427! Be sure to emphasize the importance of supporting the bill as written without additional amendments that could weaken the bill or exclude vulnerable groups from its protections. If you know supportive friends or family members who have a delegate on the committee, ask them to contact their representative as well!
When speaking with or writing to your legislators, feel free to also ask for their support for HB 488 (ban of the trans, gay, or bi panic defense) and HB 81 (repeal of Maryland's outdated and discriminatory sodomy law) which are both also being heard by the Judiciary Committee. HB 488 will come up for a hearing on February 11, while HB 81 has already had a hearing and will soon be come up for a committee vote.
Members of the Judiciary Committee:
Baltimore City
Clippinger, Luke (Chair) - District 46
Conaway, Frank M., Jr. - District 40
Baltimore County
Arikan, Lauren - District 7 (Baltimore and Harford Counties)
Cardin, Jon S. - District 11
Grammer, Robin L., Jr. - District 6
Montgomery County
Crutchfield, Charlotte - District 19
Lopez, Lesley J. - District 39
Moon, David - District 20
Shetty, Emily (Primary Sponsor) - District 18
Prince George's County
Fisher, Wanika - District 47B
Lewis, Jazz - District 24
Watson, Ron - District 23B
Williams, Nicole A. - District 22
Elsewhere In Maryland
Atterbeary, Vanessa E. (Vice Chair) - District 13 (Howard County)
Bartlett, J. Sandy - District 32 (Anne Arundel County)
Cox, Daniel L. - District 4 (Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Davis, Debra - District 28 (Charles County)
Griffith, Mike - District 35B (Cecil and Harford Counties)
Malone, Michael E. - District 33 (Anne Arundel County)
McComas, Susan K. - District 34B (Harford County)
Pippy, Jesse T. - District 4 (Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Thank you everyone! We appreciate each and every one of you. A special shout out to Cass for typing up this information.
Team Trans Healthcare MD