California close to offering third gender option on driver's licenses

LOS ANGELES -- A bill that lets Californians select a third gender option when applying for a driver's license or other state-issued identification card is one signature away from becoming law.

State lawmakers passed the legislation on Thursday and sent it to Gov. Jerry Brown.

If it becomes law, the options of "female," "male," and "non-binary" will be available on state-issued IDs.

This includes driver's licenses, birth certificates, identity cards and gender change court orders.

It would also allow minors to apply for a gender change on their birth certificates with permission from a parent or guardian.

Democratic Assemblyman Todd Gloria says a driver's license is such an essential part of everyday life that everyone should be allowed to ensure it matches their gender identity. He says the legislation could affect as many as 250,000 Californians.

Oregon recently added a gender-neutral option to state IDs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.