If enacted, HB1713 will fundamentally change how parentage is established in Massachusetts law. It will extend the rights of legal recognition to all parents, particularly benefitting LGBTQ families and others involved in non-traditional family structures. This bill will significantly impact existing statutes regarding how parentage is presumed and what legal recognitions are afforded to non-marital children. Notably, it will enhance the legal standing for individuals acting as surrogates and those entering into surrogacy agreements, ensuring clearer lines of parentage and responsibility.
Summary
House Bill 1713, titled 'An Act to ensure legal parentage equality', aims to amend Chapter 209C of the General Laws in Massachusetts concerning parentage laws. The bill seeks to eliminate distinctions based on marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation when determining parental rights and responsibilities. It emphasizes that all children should have the same rights and protections under the law, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their birth, especially in scenarios involving assisted reproduction or surrogacy.
Contention
Despite its progressive intent, the bill may face opposition from traditionalist groups who believe that it undermines conventional family structures and values. Concerns may also arise regarding the implications of expanding legal definitions of parenthood, especially in contested cases where multiple parties assert parentage. The discussion around HB1713 will likely ignite debates on the balance between the rights of parents and the best interests of children, particularly in cases of disputes over parental recognition and custody.
In proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing for paternity and for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; and providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors.
In intestate succession, further providing for rules of succession; in administration and personal representatives, providing for liability of executor; in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for rules of succession, for hearing, for alternative procedure for relinquishment and for hearing; in support matters generally, further providing general administration of support matters, repealing provisions relating to paternity and further providing for continuing jurisdiction over support orders; in general provisions relating to children and minors, repealing provisions relating to acknowledgment and claim of paternity; in jurisdiction, further providing for bases for jurisdiction over nonresident; enacting the Uniform Parentage Act; providing for parent-child relationship for certain individuals, for voluntary acknowledgment of parentage, for genetic testing, for proceeding to adjudicate parentage, for assisted reproduction, for surrogacy agreements and for information about donors; and, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, further providing for original jurisdiction and venue.