Massachusetts and Connecticut Pass Parentage Acts: Kids Can Have Three Parents—And Men Can Be Pregnant

Yes—the Massachusetts and Connecticut Parentage Acts say kids can have three legal parents, and their language strongly suggests that men can be pregnant. These new laws mark a radical but necessary update to how we legally understand family, biology, and identity in the 21st century.

Massachusetts and Connecticut have officially joined the growing number of states reshaping parentage laws to reflect the realities of modern families. The passage of the Massachusetts Parentage Act in 2023 and Connecticut’s update to its Uniform Parentage Act demonstrate a strong shift toward inclusive, equitable legal recognition for all families—regardless of gender, biology, or traditional structure.

A standout feature in both laws is the adoption of gender-neutral language throughout the legal framework defining parentage. Gone are references that limit pregnancy and childbirth to women or parenthood to biologically assigned roles. In place of phrases like “mother gives birth,” you’ll now find language like “individual who gives birth.” This change is subtle on paper but massive in implication—it acknowledges that transgender men and nonbinary people can and do become pregnant, and their parental rights deserve equal recognition under the law. It’s about accuracy, yes, but it’s also about dignity and inclusion.

Another significant transformation is the legal acknowledgment that a child can now have more than two parents. Under both acts, courts can recognize up to three legal parents when it’s in the best interest of the child. This provision isn’t about novelty; it’s about protection. It supports families formed through polyamorous relationships, LGBTQ+ coparents, and situations where both biological and social parents have played essential roles in a child’s life. Rather than force a legal hierarchy where only two can be recognized, these changes honor the real-life dynamics that sustain many children.

So what does this mean practically? A lot—especially when it comes to estate planning. With the possibility of three legal parents, inheritance structures can get more layered. Wills, trusts, guardianship designations, and tax implications all need to reflect these new legal relationships. Imagine a child with three legal parents: if one dies intestate (without a will), how the estate is divided could hinge on these updated definitions of parentage. Similarly, for blended families or chosen families, these changes offer tools to legally affirm relationships that might previously have gone unrecognized—and unprotected.

If your family falls outside the two-parent mold—or might someday—it’s more important than ever to make sure your estate plan reflects who you actually consider family.

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