PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- A bill that would restrict changes to gender on a birth certificate will be heard in the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee later this week.

The bill passed out of the House last week on a 39-31 vote.

Representative Mike Stevens of Yankton voted no on the bill.

Stevens says those types of bills take time away from other more important issues.

There have been a series of bills dealing with gender issues over the past few sessions, most have been defeated.