A bill sponsored by California Assemblyman Chad Mayes to make it easier for victims of abuse to change their names is awaiting the governor’s signature. Rebecca Havely has more on Sydney’s Law…
Sydney’s Law, or AB2201, was inspired by a Yucca Valley girl who was abused by her biological father when she was a year old. She told Assemblyman Chad Mayes that she was haunted by her father’s name but when she tried to legally change her name to that of her stepfather, she ran into obstacles, including a court fee of $435, along with needing the signatures of both parents. Without her father’s signature, a judge denied her name-change request. Maye’s bill, Sydney’s law, waives the court fees and allows victims of sexual assault and other crimes to change their names. Mayes’ bill passed both houses unanimously and is now on its way to Governor Jerry Brown to sign.
NEW LAW, INSPIRED BY A YUCCA VALLEY GIRL, HELPS MINOR VICTIMS
