Sponsors (4)
The bill simplifies passport processing and avoids some system-upgrade costs by limiting passports to two sex markers, but it denies non-binary recognition, raises risks of discrimination and travel friction for affected people, and may generate legal and administrative costs.
All international travelers will have passports using a uniform male/female sex marker, simplifying border checks and some administrative processing.
The State Department and other federal operations avoid some costs of updating legacy systems that cannot process non-binary markers, reducing near-term implementation expenses.
Non-binary and gender-nonconforming Americans will be unable to obtain passports that reflect their gender identity, denying them official recognition.
People whose identity documents don't match their gender presentation (particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and some immigrants) may face increased harassment, discrimination, and difficulties at borders or when accessing services.
Some travelers may encounter mismatches between U.S. passports and foreign systems or IDs that accept non-binary markers, causing travel or entry delays.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Limits gender markers on U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to only "male" or "female," prohibiting other designations like "X."
Introduced October 1, 2025 by Roger Wayne Marshall · Last progress October 1, 2025
Limits the gender marker options the State Department may print on U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to only the words "male" or "female" and bans issuance of those documents with any other or unspecified gender designation (for example, "X"). It directs the Secretary of State to change application forms and issuance practices to comply with that requirement.