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ACLU Sues Kansas After State Invalidates Transgender Residents’ IDs Under New Law

ACLU lawyers argue SB 244’s retroactive ID rules violate Kansas constitutional protections.

Overview

  • The lawsuit, filed Feb. 27 in Douglas County District Court on behalf of two transgender residents using pseudonyms, seeks an injunction and a ruling striking down SB 244.
  • Kansas began enforcing the law Feb. 26, sending letters that immediately voided licenses with gender markers not matching sex assigned at birth and directing holders to surrender them.
  • State officials say more than 1,000 driver’s licenses were invalidated and estimate up to about 1,800 birth certificates will be reissued to reflect sex at birth.
  • SB 244 also restricts use of multi-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms in government buildings by sex assigned at birth and creates a private right of action with $1,000 in damages.
  • Affected residents must pay to obtain replacement credentials and face potential penalties if found driving with now-invalid licenses after lawmakers overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto.