By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a bill that would change some of the language in the current law governing the content of birth certificates. Changes include replacing “both parents” to “parent or parents” and changing “the child’s mother” to “the person who gave birth to the child.”
Current law allows each party to a marriage to adopt any surname, including the present or birth-given surname of either party; retain or resume use of a present or birth-given surname; or adopt any hyphenated combination of names. The bill broadens the options and also allows each party to adopt “any first name, middle name or any other name.”
“Our current birth certificate statute uses outdated language and categories that do not represent the full variety of family structures in the commonwealth,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “No child should start out with a government-issued document that fails them. This bill ensures that our birth certificates reflect reality for all Bay Staters, accurately and inclusively.”
“A birth certificate is the first document our government sends us in our lifetimes,” said House sponsor Rep. Dwane Shand (D-Newburyport). “That document should accurately reflect the makeup of our commonwealth’s families and their complexities.”
ROSA PARKS DAY (H 3075) – The House gave initial approval to legislation designating February 4th as Rosa Parks Day, “in lasting recognition of a historic civil rights leader.”
“Rosa Parks was a hero of the civil rights movement whose courageous act to challenge segregation kindled and continues to inspire the fight for justice and equality of all peoples,” said co-sponsor Rep. Kip Diggs (D-Barnstable). “Celebrating Ms. Parks on her birthday will make a great addition to Black History Month in the commonwealth.”
Rep. Mike Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg) said he co-sponsored the measure “in order to bring awareness and representation to the heroic actions of Rosa Parks during the Civil Rights Movement.” Kushmerek noted, “February 4th is the birthday of Rosa Parks, so it will be a strong and persevering reminder to all those within the commonwealth to reflect on the role she played in raising international awareness of the struggles for civil rights.”