By Bob Katzen
The House 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters say would ensure legal parentage equality by protecting LGBTQ+ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship.
Supporters said that parental rights and responsibilities are broad and include 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. They noted that while Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage 20 years ago, LGBTQ+ residents continue to face significant barriers in obtaining full legal recognition as a parent.
“Today marks a major advancement in the reinforcement of equal rights for LGBTQ+ families in the commonwealth, assuring that children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy have a clear route to establish their legal parentage,” said Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton), a lead sponsor of the bill. “A child’s relationship to their parents is core to their overall stability and well-being, and it is from that relationship that so many rights and responsibilities flow.”
“The [bill] is a critical piece of legislation for so many families in the commonwealth, particularly LGBTQ+ families,” said Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), a lead sponsor of the bill. “By updating the commonwealth’s parentage laws, we will provide clarity, security and equality in the matters of parentage, reflecting the evolving realities and complexities of assisted reproduction, surrogacy and LGBTQ+ parenthood that has to date left many families vulnerable.”
“What we are doing today is giving a tune up to our statutory structure to reflect the modern and contemporary ways that people become parents whether they are straight or gay,” said Rep. Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown). “This is a bill that is good for everyone in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Didn’t Vote