Assembly Bill 314 seeks to modernize Wisconsin statutes by adopting gender-neutral language and recognizing same-sex marriage and parentage rights, in line with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The bill replaces terms like "husband" and "wife" with "spouse" across various statutes, ensuring equal legal rights and responsibilities for same-sex couples in matters such as marriage, divorce, child support, and inheritance. It also establishes provisions for same-sex couples to be recognized as legal parents, allowing for joint adoption and clarifying parentage in cases of artificial insemination. Additionally, the bill modifies laws regarding birth certificates to ensure that the spouse of a birthing parent is recognized as a legal parent.

Moreover, the bill updates existing laws to clarify the definition of "natural parent" and includes provisions for the distribution of information about fetal alcohol syndrome and drug dangers to marriage and domestic partnership applicants. It revises the definition of widowhood or widowerhood to clarify eligibility for surviving spouses and broadens the language used in legal contexts involving minors. The legislation emphasizes the need for appropriate services for infants and pregnant individuals affected by substance abuse, ensuring that relevant agencies are prepared to address these issues effectively.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 29.219(4), 29.219, 29.228(5), 29.228, 29.228(6), 29.229(2)(i), 29.229, 29.2295(2)(i), 29.2295, 29.563(3)(a)3, 29.563, 29.607(3), 29.607, 45.01(6)(c), 45.01, 45.51(3)(c)2, 45.51, 45.51(5)(a)1.b, 45.51(5)(a)1.c, 45.55, 46.03(34), 46.03, 46.10(2), 46.10, 46.238