Relates to the content of birth certificates

BILL NUMBER:S7942

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the content of birth certificates

Section 1 of the bill states that this act shall be known as the "Modern Family Birth Certificate Act."

Section 2 of the bill requires that parents have the option of appearing on their children's birth certificates as either "father," "mother," or "parent."

Section 3 of the bill states that the effective date is the next January 1 after the bill has become a law.

Justification

In the wake of marriage equality in New York State, there are now over half a million LGBT adults who have the right to marry. The next logical step for many of these couples is to start families, and this legislation will ensure that they have the same rights as anyone else, including the right to have their families acknowledged accurately on birth certificates.

This legislation is consistent with the designations currently used by the United States Department of State on their passport applications for children.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None to the State of New York

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first day of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law; provided that, effective immediately, the commissioner of the department of health shall promulgate appropriate rules and regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this act on or before its effective date.