Loi sur la filiation du Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) went into effect on January 1, 2025.

The historic new law will protect all families, including LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction.

Skip to:

• How can the MPA help families establish parentage?
• What to know about the new law
• Why it matters
• Resources and support
• MPA background
• Family stories
• Media
• The coalition

What to know about the new law

Parentage is the legally recognized relationship between a child and parent(s). The Massachusetts Parentage Act updates the state’s parentage law so that it is clear, equitable, and provides legal protection for all families, including LGBTQ+ families and families formed through assisted reproduction.

The law clarifies who can be legally recognized as a parent and how to establish parentage. This is critical to ensuring that all children can access the security of legal parentage, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.

La MPA prévoit que les parents du Massachusetts peuvent établir leur filiation des manières suivantes :

• Accouchement (sauf pour les personnes agissant comme mères porteuses)
• Adoption (conformément au chapitre 210)
• Accusé de réception (en signant un Reconnaissance volontaire de filiation)
• Adjudication (une ordonnance d'un tribunal)
• Présomption (y compris la présomption matrimoniale et non matrimoniale)
• Connexion génétique (sauf pour les donneurs de sperme ou d'ovules)
• Filiation de fait
• Parenté intentionnelle par procréation assistée
• Parenté intentionnelle par le biais d'un contrat de maternité de substitution

As of January 1, this law is part of Chapter 209C. Read the full law on the legislature’s website. 

Why the Massachusetts Parentage Act matters

There are many paths to parenthood and many types of families in the Commonwealth. Finally, Massachusetts statutes are up-to-date with modern science and the diversity of our families.

Among other important protections, the MPA provides clarity on how to establish parentage for children born through assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and to same-sex parents who aren’t married. The hope is that, with greater clarity, there will be better access to justice, consistency in the courts and therefore security for children in the Commonwealth.

Before the MPA, some children were not treated equally, with some having to wait six months or longer to establish their parent-child relationship, leaving children and families vulnerable.

Resources and support

• Massachusetts Parentage Act FAQ
• Webinar for families: What You Need to Know About the MPA and Its Protections for Your Family
• Webinar for lawyers and organizations: What to Know About a New Law to Protect Families
• FAQ: Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage
• Les chemins LGBTQ vers la sécurité parentale
• Ressources pour les parents de la Nouvelle-Angleterre
• For additional support, contact Réponses juridiques GLAD

Want to help spread the word about the new law and its impact?

• Recevez des mises à jour from the MPA Coalition
• Follow us on Facebook et Instagram for updates and share posts to help spread the word
• Show your support: Download the MPA Coalition badge and make it your social media profile picture.

Massachusetts Parentage Act background

The Massachusetts Parentage Act was supported by a strong coalition of parents, families, and more than 60 organizations. The MPA Coalition worked for many years to provide testimony to legislators, educate community members, share stories, and work collaboratively for this change. Coalition members remain involved in implementation, working with various agencies to draft new forms and helping lawyers and community members understand the new law.

The law’s bipartisan sponsors included Senators Julian Cyr (D) and Bruce Tarr (R), Representatives Sarah Peake (D), Hannah Kane (R), and Kay Khan (D). In July 2024, the House and Senate voted unanimously to pass the MPA, and Governor Healey signed it into law in August.

Check out the full list of supporters.

Family stories

Visit the family stories landing page (downloadable version)

J. Shia’s parentage story (download)

Testimony from Jess (download)

Simone’s family (download)

Shannon’s family (download)

Sylvia, Jane, and baby R (download)

Karen’s story (download)

Media: Press coverage, blogs, and videos

• Telegram & Gazette: Law opens door to establishing parental rights for Mass. families
• Bay Windows: Legislature Enacts Massachusetts Parentage Act to Protect Children of LGBTQ Parents
• Mombian: LGBTQ Families and Advocates Celebrate Signing of Massachusetts Parentage Act
• WAMC: Mass. Gov. Maura Healey signs Parentage Act, expanding parental rights and inclusivity
• WWLP: New parentage law aligns with reproductive technologies
• MassLive: With Gov. Healey’s signature, Mass.’ definition of parenthood gets a historic update
• GBH: ‘A long time coming’: Families, advocates celebrate new parentage legislation in Mass.

Click for more media, press coverage, blogs, and videos

The Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition is made up of local families and these partner organizations: