A bill that would require judges to waive the publication requirement for transgender people, domestic violence survivors and anyone else who seeks to legally change their name passed in the Maryland House of Delegates last week.
House Bill 39, sponsored by state Del. Emily Shetty (D-Montgomery County), passed on Feb. 11 by a 131-4 vote margin. The House Judiciary Committee on Feb.
8 unanimously approved it. “HB 39 has now passed for a second time with an overwhelming show of support by members of the House of Delegates,” Shetty told the Washington Blade in an emailed update on the bill’s progress. “This demonstrates the strong support of my colleagues to ensure the safety of members of the trans community and survivors of