Rep. Howard Supports Equal Rights for Families

HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) on Monday voiced his support and co-sponsored a proposal in the Judiciary Committee will ensure that all Connecticut children — regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents — have equal access to the security of a legal parent-child relationship.

This bill, House Bill 6321: An Act Concerning Adoption and Implementation of the Connecticut Parentage Act would fill in the gaps in existing protections and ensures access to legal parentage for all children, including those with unmarried, same-sex, or non-biological parents.

Rep. Howard said, “It’s time for Connecticut to do away with an outdated law which creates hardship for couples of the same gender who decide they want to conceive. The parent who does not physically give birth is required to go through a months-long process of a second parent adoption. Additionally, couples must wait until the child is born to begin this burdensome legal process.”

“I work with a lot of children in my district and I know that these kids need to be assured that their world isn’t going to fall apart tomorrow, having some confidence and protect in what this law would provide is really important,” said Rep. Howard.

The bill awaits further action in the Judiciary committee before moving to the full House of Representatives and State Senate for a vote.