The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed the Parentage Act, a bill that modernizes how state law defines parentage to reflect modern-day families, including those with children born to LGBTQ+ families, and through methods such as assisted reproduction and surrogacy.
Parental rights and responsibilities are broad and include, for example, the ability to attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s finances, participate in educational decisions, and provide authorizations for a child’s travel. While Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage 20 years ago, LGBTQ+ residents continue to face significant barriers in obtaining full legal recognition as a parent.
The bill updates the Commonwealth’s laws so common paths to parentage may be utilized equally by all families, regardless of marital status. It also creates a new path to parentage for individuals who are “de facto” parents, and ensures that every child has the same rights and protections to parentage without regard to the marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation of their parents, or the circumstances of their birth. The bill also safeguards against abuse and protections for domestic violence survivors and military parents.
I encourage anyone who is interested to listen to the arguments in favor of the bill that were made during the House’s formal session: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Sessions/Detail/4939
We are indebted and grateful to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Day, Rep. Sarah Peake, Rep. Hannah Kane, Rep. Kay Khan and Rep. Adam Scanlon for their leadership on this important issue, as well as Rep. Jack Lewis and Rep. John Moran for speaking in support of the bill. Having passed the House of Representatives 156-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
