Statement From Senator Brad Hoylman On The Legalization Of Gestational Surrogacy

NEW YORK—Today, in a victory for LGBTQ parents and people struggling with infertility, New York legalized gestational surrogacy. State Senator Brad Hoylman, the Senate sponsor of this legislation, issued the following statement in response:

“My husband and I had our two daughters through surrogacy—but we had to travel 3,000 miles away to California in order to do it. As a gay dad, I’m thrilled parents like us and people struggling with infertility will finally have the chance to create their own families through surrogacy here in New York. 

"The passage of legislation that will help New Yorkers create families is a signal of hope during these dark and uncertain times for our state.

“Our legislation, the Child-Parent Security Act (CPSA), which I've been honored to carry with Assemblymember Amy Paulin, creates the strongest legal and health protections in the nation for women acting as surrogates through the establishment of a “Surrogates’ Bill of Rights.” Women acting as surrogates in New York are guaranteed independent legal representation of their choosing, comprehensive medical coverage and an unambiguous right to make all of their own health and welfare decisions throughout the duration of the pregnancy. The bill also creates new protections for egg donors and intended parents, many of whom are New Yorkers and for too long have been subject to a patchwork of insufficient laws in other states.

“Once again, New York has taken the lead in protecting families like mine. I’m extremely grateful to Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her leadership in passing the CPSA for two years in a row; Governor Cuomo, for his historic support of LGBTQ families and insisting the CPSA be included in this year’s budget negotiations; Assembly champion Amy Paulin and Speaker Carl Heastie; as well as advocates from the Modern Families Coalition, including RESOLVE, the Family Equality Council, and my fellow gay dad Andy Cohen.”