Town of Hempstead challenges state bill on gender-neutral parenting terms
The state bill replaces terms such as “mother” and “father” with gender-neutral language like “gestating” and “non-gestating parent.”
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The Town of Hempstead has filed an emergency resolution it says is intended to protect traditional family roles, pushing back against a state bill amending child custody and parental laws to be more inclusive.
Town officials say the measure - titled the “Resolution to Protect Mothers and Fathers” - is the first of its kind in the state to counter the Albany legislation.
The state bill replaces terms such as “mother” and “father” with gender-neutral language like “gestating” and “non-gestating parent.”
That change aligns terms used in state family law with existing court practices that recognize non-biological parents, making custody laws more inclusive for LBGTQ+ families, adoptive parents and those who use surrogacy to establish a non-biological bond.
The bill is now headed to the governor’s desk for final approval.
News 12 has reached out to local lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill for comment, but we have not heard back.
