June 19, 2026

The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of the State of New York
Executive Chamber
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Subject: Urging Veto of S.9316/A.8382-A, which replaces the terms father, mother and filiation to gender neutral language.

Dear Governor Hochul:

We write urging you to veto Bill No. S.9316/A.8832-A, which would replace the terms “mother” and “father” in various sections of law with gender neutral terms such as “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent.”

The first word out of a child’s mouth is often “mom” or “dad.” As a mother and grandmother, you should understand the unique and indispensable role mothers play in our families and communities. They are women who work and provide for their children, and they are the core of any family. Relegating mothers to the term “gestating parent” is extremely offensive and dehumanizing and serves no purpose beyond virtue signaling.

Father’s Day is in the coming days, and it is a holiday in which all throughout the country we recognize and honor the father figures in our families. To even consider replacing the term “father” with “non-gestating parent” diminishes the role that so many fathers play in their children’s lives.

This legislation is a “solution” in search of a problem. Even the bill’s sponsor’s memo notes that courts already “have recognized how non-biological, non-adoptive parents can be treated as legal parents” in specific cases. Instead of taking steps to further erode the family unit with no tangible benefit, New York State should be celebrating the unique roles mothers and fathers play in caring for and raising children.

This should have never been a priority of the legislature to end the legislative session. We urge you to put aside virtue signaling politics and veto this offensive piece of legislation when it is delivered to your desk.

Sincerely,

Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 9th District
Senator Bill Weber, 38th District
Senator Alexis Weik, 8th District