An Act to ensure legal parentage equality
This Massachusetts bill updates state laws to ensure equal legal rights for all children regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or how the child was conceived. It removes outdated language referring to "children born out of wedlock" and establishes a clear policy that every child has the same protections under the law. The legislation defines parentage through various means, including birth, adoption, court orders, and assisted reproduction, while also updating terminology to be gender-neutral. A key provision prevents a presumed parent's legal status from being challenged after the child turns two unless specific conditions, such as lack of genetic connection or multiple presumed parents, are proven.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
May 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action May 28, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
1
May 22, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Apr 16, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Julian Cyr
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Gómez
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Scanlon
DDemocratic
Co
Becca Rausch
DDemocratic
Co
Brendan Crighton
DDemocratic
Co
Bruce Tarr
RRepublican
Co
Jack Lewis
DDemocratic
Co
Jason Lewis
DDemocratic
Co
Jo Comerford
DDemocratic
Co
John Rogers
DDemocratic
Co
Mike Connolly
DDemocratic
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