New York bill to replace 'mother' and 'father' with gender-neutral terms passes legislature

New York Democrats passed a bill that would replace the terms 'mother' and 'father' in certain state laws with gender-neutral terms. The legislation has been sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for final approval. Under the proposed changes, 'mother' would be replaced with 'gestating parent,' 'father' with 'non-gestating parent,' and 'paternity' with 'parentage.' The bill passed in the state Senate after previously advancing through the Assembly in March. Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes inclusivity, while critics have described the change as unnecessary. Governor Hochul stated that she is not familiar with the proposal but will review it before making a decision. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman criticized the bill on social media, asserting that he would oppose such changes if elected. Representative Claudia Tenney also expressed her disapproval, commenting on the implications of the bill.