Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Section 1:2021-24
Current through Vol. 41, No. 13, March 15, 2024
Executive Order 2021-24
It has come to my attention that the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has entered into a settlement agreement which was not reviewed or approved by my Administration. This settlement requires OSDH to amend birth certificates in a manner not permitted under Oklahoma Law. This Order ensures that this unauthorized action will be corrected.
63 O.S. § 1-321 establishes how and when a birth certificate may be amended under Oklahoma Law. Neither this statute nor Oklahoma law otherwise provide OSDH or others any legal ability to in any way alter a person's sex or gender on a birth certificate. Moreover, neither this statute, nor OSDH's administrative rules, give the agency authority to enter agreements that circumvent the laws of this state.
Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the power vested in me by Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, hereby order that OSDH immediately:
1. Cease amending birth certificates that is in any way inconsistent with 63 O.S. § 1-321.
2. Remove from its website any reference to amending birth certificates that is inconsistent with its authority under 63 O.S. § 1-321.
3. Inform the Governor's office of any pending litigation that is related to amending birth certificates in Oklahoma.
4. Provide the Governor's office with any other information that OSDH feels is responsive to this Executive Order.
I also encourage our lawmakers, upon reconvening for the 2nd Regular Session of the 58th Legislature this coming February to:
1. Immediately pass legislation that will clarify, to the extent necessary, that changes in sex or gender on a birth certificate or a designation of non-binary is contrary to Oklahoma Law.
2. Include in the legislation a provision that requires the Commissioner of Health to promulgate any administrative rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this statute.
This Executive Order shall be forwarded to the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Health, the Secretary of Health, and members of the State Board of Health, who shall cause the provisions of this Order to be implemented.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 8th day of November, 2021.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Brian Bingman
Secretary of State
