Rep. Klarides-Ditria Supports Equal Parental Rights
State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), today voted in strong support of legislation that strengthens family bonds and provides equal treatment under the law to children born to same-sex couples.
“This important legislation removes discriminatory language that has prevented same-sex couples and their children from having instant and equal protections under the law, and provides that all Connecticut residents are treated equally,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said.
According to an analysis by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Research, among other things, House Bill 6321 – An Act Concerning Adoption and Implementation of the Connecticut Parentage Act – provides for equal treatment under the law for children born to same-sex couples by removing certain gender-specific references (e.g., changing “maternity” and “paternity” to “parentage”); expands recognition of non-biological parents by (a) making marital or “hold-out” presumptions gender neutral and (b) establishing de facto parentage (i.e., the court adjudicates a person to be a parent under certain circumstances); and provides guidance on adjudicating parentage and adjudicating competing claims of parentage.
“I’m glad this measure overwhelmingly passed the House and I look forward to this law being changed. Currently, Connecticut is the only state within the New England area that does not provide any form of protection or path for non-biological parents to form a legal relationship with their children,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “It’s unconscionable to me that these outdated laws have created a struggle for same-sex couples who want to conceive, and worse that current law forces the parent who does not physically give birth to go through a months-long process of a second parent adoption. Making parents jump through hoops when they should be spending time with their precious newborn is traumatizing and ridiculous.”
More information on the bill can be found at www.cga.ct.gov by putting “6321” in the legislation search bar at the bottom of the page.
The bill has been placed on the Senate calendar and awaits further action. The legislative session ends at midnight on Wednesday, June 9th.