Connecticut Parentage Act
The We Care Coalition is made up of families and organizations in support of the Connecticut Parentage Act
The Connecticut Parentage Act went into effect on January 1, 2022!
In May 2021, Governor Lamont signed the Connecticut Parentage Act into law, ensuring that all children and families are recognized and protected under state parentage law.
Get the information you need before the law goes into effect.
- FAQ: The Connecticut Parentage Act
- FAQ: Acknowledgement of Parentage
- Webinar: What You Need to Know About the Connecticut Parentage Act
What is the Connecticut Parentage Act?
The Connecticut Parentage Act (CPA) updates state law to ensure equal access to legal parentage for all children, including those with unmarried, same-gender, or nonbiological parents. The new law clarifies who can be a parent and ensures each child has a clear path to secure their legal parentage.
These critical reforms recognize the diversity of families in Connecticut and ensure that all children can have their legal parentage established, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.
Find out how the new law could impact your family.
“[After Ashley gives birth] there will have to be a period in which Adriana’s parentage is legally non-existent, and Ashley is particularly worried about what could happen if there are complications during labor and delivery. These fears are only compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“While [other parents] are decorating nurseries, we’re speaking with an attorney about how to ensure our child is protected in the event that something happens to me. It’s important for us to verify that Megan will be a legal parent in all ways, shapes and forms.”
“Despite being J.’s parent, Denise has no legal relationship with J. If something were to happen to Stephanie, J could be separated from Denise and from his little sister. The thought infuriates and terrifies Stephanie.”
Learn more about the CPA and how it could impact your family:
- FAQ: The Connecticut Parentage Act
- FAQ: What you should know before the law goes into effect in 2022
- FAQ: Acknowledgement of Parentage
- Webinar: What You Need to Know About the Connecticut Parentage Act
- We Care Coalition homepage
- CPA legislative fact sheet
- The First Queer Families to Benefit from Connecticut’s New, Comprehensive Parentage Law | Mombian
- CT leading the way for LGBTQ parents and their children | Op-ed by Douglas NeJaime in the ctpost
- With a new law, LGBTQ parents celebrate recognition in Connecticut | Connecticut Mirror
- Passage of Parentage Act in CT makes it easier for same-sex couples to start family | News 12
- On first day of Pride Month, Gov. Lamont signs CT Parentage Act | WTNH
- Three Cheers for the Parentage Act | Connecticut Law Tribune (paywall)
- Connecticut Can Take a Stand for Inequality | Op-ed by GLAD’s Patience Crozier and Yale Law School’s Douglas NeJaime in the Connecticut Post
- Changes to state parenting laws help fill gaps for same-sex couples | NBC
- Marriage Is Not Enough: Securing Parentage in New England and Beyond | Mombian
- Connecticut Looks To Ensure Parentage Rights For LGBTQ Couples | WSHU
- Opinion: Connecticut law discriminates against LGBTQ parents; it’s time to change that | Op-ed by State Rep. Jeff Currey in the Hartford Courant
- Connecticut’s parentage law discriminates against families like mine. It’s time for a change. | Op-ed by Maline Simard-Halm in the CT Mirror