Five States Made Big Changes To Family Law In 2025
A wave of 2025 legislation is reshaping family law to reflect the realities—and rights—of LGBTQ+ parents.
In a year when LGBTQ+ rights have faced mounting political attacks, a wave of new parentage laws is quietly expanding legal recognition and protection for queer families across the country.
Prior to 2025, California, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont had already passed protections based on the 2017 Uniform Parentage Act. Now, as of January, momentum is building again to give all families the legal protection they deserve. Five new states have joined the charge, passing legal protections for all kinds of families.
Massachusetts kicked off the year by putting its new Parentage Act into effect on January 1. The law replaces gendered language in the state’s family code with inclusive terms like “acknowledged,” “intended,” and “presumed” parent. It ensures that non-biological and LGBTQ+ parents are fully recognized under the law, especially in cases involving assisted reproduction or surrogacy.
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In Michigan, the Family Protection Act—including the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act (ARSPA)—took effect on April 2. It legalizes surrogacy contracts and allows non-birthing spouses to be recognized as legal parents from birth, regardless of gender or marital status. The law also lets parents establish their rights through a simple administrative process, avoiding expensive and stressful court procedures.
New Mexico followed with SB 417, which took effect on June 20. This law streamlines the process of confirmatory adoption for children born through assisted reproduction. It removes unnecessary requirements like home studies and donor consent, allowing non-genetic or unmarried parents to gain legal recognition quickly and clearly.
Vermont’s new law takes effect July 1. It creates a straightforward process for confirmatory adoption that gives non-birthing parents—often in LGBTQ+ families—a fast and simple way to establish legal parentage. Adoption orders can now be issued within 30 days, without invasive steps.
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Illinois passed the Equality for Every Family Act in late May, updating its Parentage Act from 2015. The new version ensures parentage can’t be denied based on a parent’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship status. It also prevents genetic testing from being used to challenge intended parentage and strengthens protections for families formed through surrogacy.
The changes not only offer reassurance but also a breath of fresh air during these heavy and uncertain times. By making the process simpler and fairer, these laws help remove the barriers that many LGBTQ+ families have long faced. And that is something extra special to celebrate this Pride Month.
