A new law in the state of Kansas (U.S.) is requiring transgender individuals to return their driver’s licenses if the documents do not reflect their genders assigned at birth.
More than 1,000 transgender drivers in Kansas will be affected by the new rule. To continue driving, they will have to pay to issue new driver’s licenses that reflect their genders assigned at birth, according to the news agency Reuters.
Drivers were notified by letter that the new law would take effect on February 26. According to the letter, there is no grace period to update the documents, which means anyone driving a vehicle with a license indicating a gender different from their assigned birth gender could face penalties.
In Kansas, driving without a valid driver’s license is a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail, according to Unilad.
This new legislation contradicts a Kansas law passed in 2023 that requires transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their genders assigned at birth while in state prisons.
Under the same law, transgender individuals are also required to use bathrooms and changing rooms corresponding to their genders assigned at birth in government buildings. Violations of these rules can be reported.
Offenders will receive a warning for a first offense, but repeat offenders may face fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in prison.
Photo: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
