Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a landmark bill known as the Massachusetts Parentage Act, designed to modernize parentage laws and ensure equality for families using alternative reproductive methods such as surrogacy and IVF. The bipartisan legislation, which is now awaiting Gov. Maura Healey's signature, addresses legal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ parents and updates antiquated language in state laws. Key provisions include recognizing 'de facto' parents and replacing gender-specific terms like 'mother' with 'person who gave birth.' The bill, which has been in the works for years, passed both chambers unanimously and is seen as a critical step in providing legal security for children and their parents. Governor Healey has previously expressed support for updating the state's parentage laws, and the legislation is expected to take effect on January 1.