Paterson Signs Law Allowing Unmarried Couples to Adopt

Unmarried partners, including same sex couples, will now be allowed to jointly adopt children in New York State, NY1 reports.

"Governor David Paterson signed a law making the change on Sunday. The law also puts "married couple" in the adoption statute, in place of what used to read "husband and wife." Bill sponsors say that is meant to ensure children get insurance and other benefits from both adults, as well as lifelong support even if couples split up."

Single gays and lesbians can already legally adopt in New York.

Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, the Manhattan Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, tells the Boston Herald: "Because same sex couples can’t get married and some heterosexual people don’t want to get married, they were not allowed to adopt a non-related child together. If there is a foster child that neither is related to, they had to do it separately. What happens often is one does it, and the other says, ’Yeah, I’ll get to it.’ But it’s a costly endeavor. It’s a separate procedure for both."

The bill is effective immediately.

Comments

[7]

That's funny.. I just told a friend of mine last night that we couldn't adopt a child together because we weren't married. I guess things are changing faster than I can spit game.. LOL!!

[jstheater]

This is great news. Paterson seems to take one step backward, and then a few in correct direction. This is definitely one of the latter.