Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced the passage of legislation (A.5652-B/Rosenthal) to allow two unmarried adult partners to adopt a child together. This measure would also change references in the law by replacing the term husband and wife with the gender neutral term "married couple," to allow all committed couples the ability to adopt a child.

"This legislation will clarify the law to allow all committed couples, married or not, the legal right to adopt a child together," said Silver (D-Manhattan). "The Assembly Majority is committed to keeping the best interests of all children in mind when crafting changes to laws related to our families.

"Adoption decisions should be based on what is best for each individual child and not the marital status, sexual orientation, or family structure of prospective adoptive parents. More successful adoptions in this state will lead to more children in secure two-parent families," said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan). "As the sponsor of this legislation, it was essential to clear up the gray area relating to adoption by unmarried adult partners."

Silver and Rosenthal noted that allowing unmarried adult couples to adopt a child will also ensure that children receive:

• Social Security benefits in the event of a parent's death or disability;
• Life insurance benefits in the event of a parent's death;
• The right to sue for wrongful death of a parent;
• The right to inherit under the rules of intestacy;
• Eligibility for health insurance coverage under both parents' health insurance policies;
• The right to have two parents participate in medical decisions in the event of an emergency;
• The right to receive economic support from two parents;
• The emotional security of knowing that in the event of the death of a parent, the surviving parent will have presumptive custody;
• The right to continue the relationships with both parents and extended families in the event of a separation; and
• The right to have both parents named on the birth certificate.