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5/13/2025
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House approves Whip Kazarian’s culturally sensitive birth certificate bill
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STATE HOUSE – The House today approved legislation (2025-H 5714A) sponsored by House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian that would allow adults to modify their birth certificates with culturally sensitive language.
“A person’s birth certificate should accurately reflect their race, not their perceived race at the time of their birth. This bill gives Rhode Islanders the opportunity to change language on their birth certificate so that they can correct any inaccuracies and ensure that their race is marked properly. It is an easy fix that uses our modern-day technology to allow for better services for the people living in our state,” said Whip Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket).
“This bill holds deep meaning for me and others whose birth certificates reflect racial labels based on visual assumptions, not cultural or ethnic accuracy,” said Lucy Rose, a supporter who worked closely with Whip Kazarian on the legislation. “For Cape Verdean families like mine, those designations were rooted in a flawed racial system and have caused decades of misrepresentation. Providing a process for correction is a long-overdue step toward dignity, accuracy and legacy. I’m grateful to Whip Kazarian for recognizing the importance of honoring our true identities.”
The bill would allow persons 18 years or older to request that the description of the person’s race be modified or amended on their birth certificate in a manner that utilizes culturally sensitive language and terminology. The request would be made through the State Office of Vital Records. The legislation also allows the Department of Health to promulgate rules and regulations, and/or develop a process, to accommodate all reasonable requests in a manner which uses culturally sensitive language and terminology to identify, modify and/or amend descriptions of race on vital records.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) has introduced similar legislation (2025-S 1006).
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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