City Council supports Massachusetts Parentage Act

Massachusetts is the only New England state to not establish clear legal parentage protections for LGBTQIA+ families and those who conceive through surrogacy, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, or other assistive means. Under current statute, an order of adoption issued by a court would be required for the parental rights of non-biological parents to be clearly recognized.



The Massachusetts Parentage Act (S.1133/H.1714), An Act Relative to Parentage to Promote Children’s Security, would update state statute to clarify paths to establish parentage and is crucial toward ensuring all children can access the security of legal parentage, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. During this week’s Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution urging the passage of this Act.



The Massachusetts Parentage Act would ensure greater efficiency and consistency by providing a clear standard for courts to reduce unnecessary litigation, as well as codify parentage precedent from the Supreme Judicial Court. Passage of the Act would end the Commonwealth’s status as the only New England state without updated parentage laws.