A new trend in the US is allowing for other gender options on legal documentation such as birth certificates, state-issued identification, and driver's licenses.

According to Reuters, as of January 2019, 10 states and Washington D.C. already have options for non-binary or gender-neutral options for birth certificates, identification cards, or both.

Maine currently allows for "X" on state-issued identification cards and driver's licenses but no alternatives for birth certificates.

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The new proposal would, "recognize nonbinary for use on official records by permitting nonbinary as a gender marker on a birth record." This proposed rule would allow for individuals to change their existing birth record and keep the original private.

According to WMTW, the state is taking comments on the proposal until March 20th.

The proposal would need the approval of The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as approval from Jeanne Lambrew, the Commissioner for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

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