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Committee hears testimony on H.514 to clarify minors' ability to change last name with one parent's consent
Summary
The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee heard testimony Feb. 13 on H.514, a short-form bill that would clarify whether a minor may change a legal name with the consent of one parent or guardian. Witnesses described barriers faced by children of absent or abusive parents; officials said statute and court practice appear ambiguous.
The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee on Feb. 13 heard testimony on H.514, a short-form bill proposing to amend statutes governing vital records and probate filings so a minor could change a legal name with the consent of one parent or guardian.
"The bill proposes to amend statutes governing vital records and court instruments that are used to change the legal name of a minor, and the proposal is to allow a minor to change the minor's name with consent of 1 parent or guardian," said Tucker Anderson, legislative counsel, summarizing the bill's purpose and offering to draft statutory language if the committee identifies a statutory gap.
Why it matters: Witnesses said some children face practical and safety barriers when a second parent's consent is sought. Brenda Siegel, executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, testified in her capacity as a mother and survivor that her family faced an expensive, years-long process to change a…
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