New York Democrats in the State Assembly and Senate have passed legislation that would replace the terms "mother" and "father" with gender-neutral alternatives throughout state child custody and parental laws. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Luis Sepulveda, both Democrats, now heads to Governor Kathy Hochul's desk for approval.

The legislation makes several terminology changes in New York family law. References to "mother" would become "gestating parent," while "father" would be replaced with "non-gestating parent." The bill also redesignates "paternity" proceedings as "parentage" cases and changes the term "putative father"—which refers to a man biologically related to a child without a legal relationship—to "an alleged parent."

According to a memo accompanying the bill, supporters argue the changes are necessary to address surrogacy arrangements involving same-sex parents. An adoption lawyer cited by The New York Post said traditional terms like "mother" and "father" have become outdated given the number of same-sex couple adoptions in the state.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic sponsors of the bill have not issued public statements about its passage, but the legislation's accompanying memo frames the changes as a modernization of legal language to reflect contemporary family structures. The memo specifically cites surrogacy cases and same-sex parent families as driving factors behind the terminology updates.

Some Democratic lawmakers who voted for the measure acknowledged reservations about the specific language while still supporting the bill's overall intent. According to The New York Post, some legislators "rolled their eyes" at certain terms as they cast their votes, finding the phrasing unnecessary but not objectionable enough to oppose the legislation.

Governor Kathy Hochul, when asked about the bill by reporters, said she was not yet familiar with its specifics and would need to review it before taking a position. The Democratic governor has not indicated whether she will sign or veto the measure.

What the Right Is Saying

Republican officials have condemned the legislation as an unnecessary distraction from more pressing state concerns. Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar called the bill "woke culture run amok" and criticized its priorities.

"It's an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is," Kassar said in a statement to The New York Post. "It's an unnecessary and wasteful use of time."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman accused Democrats of waging what he described as a "war" on traditional family structures through language changes in state law.

"The insanity ends when I'm governor," Blakeman said, indicating he would veto similar measures if elected.

State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Republican, questioned the timing and necessity of the legislation amid what she described as more urgent challenges facing New York residents. "Albany Democrats have decided one of their final priorities in the last days of session should be replacing mothers and fathers in state law," she said, per The New York Post. "That is not what families are asking for."

What the Numbers Show

The bill passed with Democratic support in both chambers of the New York State Legislature. Specific vote totals were not reported in initial coverage. Democrats hold supermajority control in both the Assembly and Senate.

New York has seen a steady increase in same-sex parent households over the past two decades, according to U.S. Census data. The state legalized same-sex marriage in 2011 and has since expanded legal protections for LGBTQ+ families through multiple legislative actions.

Surrogacy arrangements in New York were legalized in April 2021 when the Child-Parent Security Act took effect, creating a regulatory framework for compensated gestational surrogacy that previously had been prohibited under state law.

The Bottom Line

The legislation represents one of several recent efforts by Democratic-controlled state governments to update legal terminology regarding parenthood. Similar measures have been introduced or passed in other states, though New York's bill is notable for its comprehensive replacement of gendered parental terms across family law statutes.

If signed by Governor Hochul, the changes would take effect 90 days after approval, affecting how courts process custody cases, adoption proceedings, and parentage determinations throughout New York. Legal advocates on both sides expect the implementation to face challenges as court officials and families adjust to new terminology requirements.

Opponents have suggested they may encourage legal challenges or mount political opposition during future legislative sessions if the bill takes effect. Supporters maintain that updated language will better serve diverse family structures without diminishing parental rights.