GOP lawmakers urge Hochul to reject bill nixing 'mother' and 'father' in New York law for gender-neutral terms

Republican lawmakers are urging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto legislation that would replace some references to "mother," "father," and "paternity" in state law with gender-neutral terms such as "gestating parent," "non-gestating parent," and "parentage."

The legislation, sponsored by Democrat state Sen. Luis Sepúlveda and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, would revise numerous sections of New York law governing family court proceedings, child support, parentage determinations, education, and other matters. According to the bill's sponsor memo, the measure is intended to update state law by substituting "parentage" for "paternity" and "filiation" and making legal language "more inclusive and gender-neutral."

Among the changes, the bill would replace references to "putative father" with "alleged parent," rename certain paternity proceedings as parentage proceedings, and substitute gender-neutral terminology in portions of state law dealing with custody, support, and family court matters. Some provisions would use terms including "gestating parent" and "non-gestating parent."

In a letter to Hochul, three Republican state senators argued that the measure diminishes the roles of mothers and fathers and replaces longstanding family-law terminology with unnecessary language changes.

"To even consider replacing the term 'father' with 'non-gestating parent' diminishes the role that so many fathers play in their children's lives," state Sens. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Bill Weber, and Alexis Weik wrote.

The lawmakers also criticized the bill's replacement of the word "mother" with "gestating parent" in portions of state law, calling the change "offensive and dehumanizing."

The measure passed the Democratic-controlled legislature earlier this year and now awaits Hochul's decision.

Hochul's office has dismissed Republican criticism of the legislation, saying the bill does not change the reality that "mothers are mothers and fathers are fathers."

The governor has until the end of the year to sign or veto the measure.

The debate comes as Hochul publicly marked Father's Day with a social media post honoring her late father and thanking him for helping shape her values and work ethic.

"Dad had plenty of advice for his six kids, but my favorite was always: 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going,'" Hochul wrote. "Happy Father's Day to all the dads across New York."