The House & Senate passed An Act to Ensure Legal Parentage Equality, also known as the Parentage Act! Governor Healey formally signed the bill into law on August 12, 2024.
Take Action: Please thank your representative, senator, and the Governor for passing this critical legislation!
Check out GLAD's website for details, and here are some key bill highlights:
- Massachusetts is the only New England state without updated parentage laws.
- Provides all children with access to the security of legal parentage, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
- Updates Massachusetts’ outdated parentage law so that it is clear, equitable, and provides legal protection for all families, including LGBTQ+ families.
- Ensures equality for LGBTQ families so they can establish their parentage like other families, including through a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage.
- Clarifies standards for courts to resolve competing claims of parentage, enhances efficiency and consistency, including to reduce unnecessary litigation.
Bill numbers: S.947 / H.1713 - newest drafts: S.2906 / H.4750 (Sen. Cyr; Rep. Peake & Rep. Kane)