Skip to content
Home
>
News
>
Bill of the Day: State Sen....

Bill of the Day: State Sen. McMahan’s “Real You Act” seeks to curb prisoner name changes, recognition of minors’ gender transitions

By: Frank Corder - January 19, 2022

Y’all Politics brings you a Bill of the Day from the Mississippi Legislature that just may pique your interest.

Convicted criminals serving prison time can still seek to game the system even behind bars. State Senator Chad McMahan (R) has filed a bill that could help alleviate that possibility.

McMahan has filed “The Real You Act,” SB 2356, which seeks to prohibit incarcerated offenders from requesting a name change while also prohibiting minors from requesting legal recognitions of a gender transition.

The bill states that no offender shall have standing to file a change of name petition with the chancery court, and no chancery clerk shall file a name change petition for an offender. Further, no chancellor shall grant a change of name petition for an offender.

However, a chancellor may change the name of an offender if a district attorney, county sheriff, the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), or a MDOC Chaplain filed a petition on behalf of an offender.

McMahan’s bill goes on to state that no minor, or the parent or guardian of a minor, nor their representative or designee, shall have standing to file a gender transition petition unless a licensed physician or a licenses psychiatrist offers a letter of support for the gender transition petition. A chancery clerk, after an in-person interview with the minor, could also offer a letter of support for the gender transition petition.

You can read the full bill here.

About the Author(s)
author profile image

Frank Corder

For nearly two decades, Frank Corder has reported and offered analysis on government, public policy, elections, business and matters of faith. He is the Editor for Magnolia Tribune where he oversees the day-to-day content development. Frank’s interviews, articles, and columns have been syndicated throughout Mississippi as well as in various national publications. His resume includes appearances on the BBC, CBS News, ABC News, and Fox News, among others. Frank is a frequent analyst on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State and beyond. During his career, Frank has interviewed government officials and candidates from City Halls to the White House, including Presidential candidates, White House officials, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet Secretaries, and Governors. He previously hosted his own local radio and television programs and has managed private businesses in the financial, hospitality, and retail sectors. Frank has served his community as an elected City Councilman and as an Assistant/Acting City Manager. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he led the effort to plan Pascagoula's recovery and rebuilding which earned him recognition as Mississippi's Volunteer of the Year. Frank also led Pascagoula's municipal government out of a $14.5 million deficit, which the Mississippi State Auditor heralded as a model for other communities facing dire financial straits. As the president of the Pascagoula High School Quarterback Club, Frank has self-published "The Book of Pascagoula Football." He has been married for over 25 years and has two children, both of whom work in public education. Email Frank: frank@magnoliatribune.com