California Assembly passes bill revamping birth certificates

Lawmakers in the Assembly have approved a bill that updates birth certificates to reflect the status of same-sex parents.

AB1951 passed Thursday on a 51-13 vote, with a few Republicans joining in support. The bill is sponsored by Equality California, a gay rights group, and was carried by Democratic Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles.

The current design of California birth certificates requires parents to identify as one mother and one father. Bill supporters say that forces gay and lesbian parents to inaccurately identify themselves on their children’s documents.

This bill revamps birth certificates to allow parents to identify as a mother, father or parent. It would take effect in 2016 if approved by the Senate and signed into law. No Republicans spoke in opposition.