A bill passed by New York’s Democratic-led state legislature would replace the terms “mother” and “father” in official documents related to custody and other family matters with the phrases “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent,” according to recent legislative action. The legislation, if signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul within 10 days, would revise parental terminology across multiple sections of New York law without altering existing parental rights or obligations.

The bill, sponsored by Democratic state Senator Luis Sepulveda of the Bronx and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester, was approved by the Assembly in March and the Senate this week. Under the measure, “paternity” proceedings would become “parentage” cases, while “putative father” records would be updated to “alleged parent.”

State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar condemned the move as “woke culture run amok,” labeling it an example of “one-upmanship.” Republican candidate Conner Dunleavy, who challenges the chair of the state Assembly’s judicial committee, criticized the legislation for diverting attention from pressing issues like affordability and public safety. Dunleavy stated the bill “serves to undermine our families” and that New York faces “record-high taxes,” “insane utility costs,” and an “affordability crisis” instead of addressing these challenges through legal terminology changes.

The legislation’s sponsors argue it modernizes New York law to align with same-sex couples, adoptive families, surrogacy arrangements, and other recognized family structures. Governor Hochul must decide whether to sign the bill by November 1 if it advances without veto.