New York State legislators have passed a bill that would replace the terms “mother” and “father” in multiple state child custody and parental laws with gender-neutral terminology. The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Senator Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester, will be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for approval.

Under the proposed changes, “mother” would be defined as “gestating parent,” while “father” would become “non-gestating parent” or “parent.” The term “putative father”—commonly referred to as a deadbeat dad—would now be labeled “an alleged parent” in official state records.

State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime member of the New York State Senate and Assembly, criticized the bill as “woke culture run amok” and “one-upmanship.” He described the legislation as an example of how “the New York legislature is out of tune,” calling it an “unnecessary and wasteful use of time.”

Kassar added: “Imagine people who are considering moving to New York seeing this and saying, ‘Do I need this silliness?’ This is a really weird group of elected officials. It comes out of left field.”

He also noted that the bill’s timing is problematic given that state lawmakers were nearly two months late in passing the state budget.

The bill’s sponsors argue it modernizes New York law to reflect same-sex couples, adoptive families, surrogacy arrangements, and other family structures recognized by the state. Senator Sepulveda stated that the changes aim to align statutory language with existing court decisions and family practices.

Republicans have criticized the legislation, arguing lawmakers should focus on affordability, public safety, and pressing issues facing New Yorkers rather than revising legal terminology. Conner Dunleavy, a Republican candidate challenging the chair of the state Assembly’s judicial committee who approved the bill, said the move “serves to undermine our families.”

Dunleavy stated: “[Their] priorities are totally out of whack.” He added that New York families face bigger challenges than legal terminology changes, including an affordability crisis, record-high taxes, and escalating utility costs. “It’s not addressing our affordability crisis… it’s doing nothing to help families,” he said.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders commented: “When I say politics is now Normal vs. Crazy, this is what I mean. This is completely insane! In Arkansas, we don’t do woke nonsense and as long as I’m Governor we never will.”

The bill will take effect on November 1 if signed by Governor Hochul, who has 10 days to approve or veto the legislation.