Name change for felons, preferred names for students spark fierce debate in Colorado

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics

Republicans and Democrats clashed over two proposals dealing with names and gender identity in a prolonged debated on Friday that also prompted an intense discussion into a host of social issues, notably the rights of parents and the wishes of transgender students.   

The first bill, House Bill 1071, would include gender identity as a “good cause” reason that the courts could consider when individuals convicted of a felony request to legally change their names.

The second measure, House Bill 24-1039, would require public and charter schools beginning in July next year to use a student’s preferred name, regardless of whether it is the legal name, for school documents, such as rosters, yearbooks and identification cards.

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