An Act relative to parent names on birth certificates
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to allow individuals to list both parents on a child’s birth certificate, regardless of their marital status or whether one parent is not the biological parent. Currently, Massachusetts law requires a biological parent to be listed, creating challenges for situations like adoption or when a child is born to a same-sex couple. The bill seeks to modernize the birth certificate system to better reflect family structures and provide more accurate and inclusive documentation.
Key provisions
- Allows both parents to be listed on a birth certificate, regardless of marital status.
- Applies to children born in Massachusetts.
- Recognizes non-biological parents, such as adoptive parents.
- Addresses situations involving same-sex couples.
- Updates the process for recording parent information on birth certificates.
Who is affected
- Parents of children born in Massachusetts
- Adoptive parents
- Same-sex couples
- Individuals seeking accurate birth certificate records
- State vital records offices
Notable changes
- Changes the requirement for listing parents on birth certificates.
- Expands the definition of ‘parent’ to include non-biological parents.
- Aligns Massachusetts law with evolving family structures.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
3 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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