New York lawmakers have approved legislation that would replace several gender-specific parental terms in state law with broader gender-neutral language, sending the measure to Gov. Kathy Hochul for review.
The bill, known as Senate Bill S9316, would update terminology across parts of New York’s Family Court Act, Domestic Relations Law, Social Services Law, Education Law and other statutes. The changes include replacing some references to “paternity” with “parentage” and updating language tied to legal parenthood, custody, support and family court proceedings.
Supporters say the proposal is intended to modernize New York law so it better reflects the different ways families are legally formed today, including through adoption, assisted reproduction, surrogacy and same-sex parenting arrangements. Critics argue that replacing familiar words such as “mother” and “father” with phrases like “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent” is unnecessary and risks making the law feel less connected to ordinary family language.
The legislation was sponsored by Democratic lawmakers Sen. Luis Sepúlveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester County. According to the sponsor memo, the bill is meant to bring state law into alignment with current legal standards and court decisions involving parentage.
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The proposal builds on changes made under New York’s Child-Parent Security Act, which legalized compensated gestational surrogacy and created clearer legal pathways for parents using assisted reproductive technology. That law took effect in 2021 and expanded how New York recognizes legal parent-child relationships.
Under the new bill, legal language in some proceedings would shift away from older terms focused on biological motherhood and fatherhood. For example, references to “paternity” proceedings would become “parentage” proceedings, while “putative father” would be changed to “alleged parent” in relevant sections.
Supporters argue that this matters because family courts now regularly handle cases involving two mothers, two fathers, intended parents, surrogates, sperm or egg donors, and other arrangements that do not fit neatly into traditional legal wording. They say neutral terminology can help courts focus on legal responsibility and parental rights rather than outdated assumptions about gender.
Opponents see the issue very differently. Some Republicans and conservative critics have described the language as excessive and ideologically driven. They argue that “mother” and “father” are widely understood terms and should not be replaced in state law unless absolutely necessary.
The debate has become part of a broader national fight over gender-neutral language in government, education, medicine and law. Supporters often frame these changes as technical updates that make legal systems more inclusive. Critics often view them as cultural changes that erase traditional language around family and sex.
Gov. Hochul has not yet said whether she will sign the bill. When asked about it, she said she was not familiar with the specific measure and would review it before making a decision, according to reports.
If signed, the bill would not change how people personally refer to their own parents. It would change terminology in specific parts of New York law and legal proceedings. That distinction is important because much of the public debate has focused on whether the state is “replacing” everyday words, while the bill itself deals with statutory language.
Still, the political reaction is likely to remain strong. Family law is one of the most personal areas of government, and changes to words like “mother,” “father,” and “paternity” can quickly become symbolic in wider culture-war debates.
For New York lawmakers who support the bill, the goal is legal clarity and inclusion for all family structures. For opponents, the bill is another example of government changing language in ways many voters may find confusing or unnecessary.
The final decision now rests with Hochul. If she signs the legislation, New York will move further toward gender-neutral terminology in family law. If she rejects or delays it, the issue could remain a political flashpoint in Albany.
Why It Matters
The bill matters because it affects how parenthood is described in state law, especially in family court, custody, adoption, child support and surrogacy-related cases.
It also matters politically because language around “mother,” “father,” and “parent” has become part of a larger national debate over gender, family, and government policy.
What Comes Next
Gov. Hochul will review the bill and decide whether to sign it into law.
If signed, state agencies and courts would begin applying the updated terminology in the affected statutes. If critics continue pushing back, the issue could become part of New York’s broader political debate heading into future elections.
Dems replace ‘mother’ with ‘gestating parent’ in latest woke rewrite of NY law https://t.co/UWfbzglklN pic.twitter.com/g6XKjl7L6J
— New York Post (@nypost) June 3, 2026
