Key facts
- New York Democrats passed legislation to replace 'mother' and 'father' with 'gestating parent' and 'non-gestating parent' in state law.
- The bill also changes 'paternity' to 'parentage' and 'putative father' to 'alleged parent'.
- The legislation affects family court proceedings, domestic relations, child support, custody, and education statutes.
- The bill passed the Assembly and Senate and is on Governor Kathy Hochul's desk.
- Sponsors claim the language aligns statutes with court rulings and accommodates surrogacy and same-sex parenting.
- Critics label the move as 'woke culture run amok' and an 'ideological overreach'.
New York Democrats have advanced legislation that will replace the terms 'mother' and 'father' with 'gestating parent' and 'non-gestating parent' in various sections of state law. The bill, which has passed both the Assembly and Senate, now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, with the changes set to take effect on November 1. This overhaul will alter references in family court proceedings, domestic relations, child support, custody determinations, and education statutes, also changing 'paternity' to 'parentage' and 'putative father' to 'alleged parent'.