The critical legislation will modernize Massachusetts’ outdated parentage laws to better protect families, especially LGBTQ+ families and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction
Boston, MA — Today, the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to pass the Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA, S2906), following the House’s unanimous vote in June. The historic legislation will ensure legal parentage equality by providing clear, comprehensive, consistent, and accessible avenues to establish legal parentage for families in the Commonwealth. The bill now moves to the House for enactment.
“Parentage, the legal relationship between children and their parents, is central to child wellbeing, stability, and protections,” said Alexis Kantor, Interim President and CEO of Family Equality. “Yet, too many states lack clear, simple, and financially accessible ways to establish these crucial legal parent-child relationships. By passing this legislation, the Massachusetts Senate has taken an important step toward ensuring that all children in the Commonwealth have access to these essential protections — regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation of their parents.
“Today’s good news comes in the middle of Family Equality’s Family Week, the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ families in the world in Provincetown, Massachusetts. As I look at the countless beautifully diverse Massachusetts families who are joining us this week, I’m moved by just how far-ranging the impacts of this legislation will be on our community here at the Cape and beyond. Thank you to all the amazing advocates who championed this bill. We urge Massachusetts legislators to fully enact this bill and send it to the Governor’s desk this session. The safety and security of our children cannot be left to chance.”
Family Equality is one of 60 organizations involved in the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition. In addition to participating in the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition, Family Equality has hosted the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ families in the world in Provincetown, Massachusetts for thirty years.
Learn more about the Massachusetts Parentage Act.
About Family Equality
Family Equality is creating a world where everyone can experience the love, safety, and belonging of family. As the leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, we work to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling, and education.
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Tonya Agnew,
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Communications & Marketing
(765) 490-4709 / tagnew@familyequality.org