N.Y. Gov. David Paterson on Sunday signed into a law a bill that allows gay and straight unmarried partners to jointly adopt children in the state.
The legislation also replaces the term “husband and wife” with “married couple” in the adoption statute.
The law, which eases complications resulting from a two-step joint adoption process, helps safeguard adopted children by ensuring that they receive support, insurance and other benefits from both parents and maintain relationships even if the couple splits up.
The bill went into effect immediately after the governor signed it.
