California SB59 ensures confidentiality of court records related to name and gender changes for transgender and nonbinary individuals.

California SB59 codifies privacy protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals by requiring court records related to name and gender changes to be kept confidential. The bill mandates that court records, including indices and registers of actions, remain inaccessible to the public until a court orders a change. It also allows petitioners to request confidentiality ex parte and without a filing fee. The bill provides for civil actions against those who disclose confidential records, with potential damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

California SB59 ensures confidentiality of court records related to name and gender changes for transgender and nonbinary individuals.

California SB59 codifies privacy protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals by requiring court records related to name and gender changes to be kept confidential. The bill mandates that court records, including indices and registers of actions, remain inaccessible to the public until a court orders a change. It also allows petitioners to request confidentiality ex parte and without a filing fee. The bill provides for civil actions against those who disclose confidential records, with potential damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.