A new law allows judges to grant additional parental rights if they find that recognizing only two parents would be detrimental to a child.
Attorney Andrew Cain is with Legal Advocates for Children and Youth. He said the law will only be applied in limited circumstances.
“It’s really for those cases where there’s another person out there who the child sees as his or her parent who is willing to step up and take on those obligations and take on those responsibilities," he said. " And now the court will have the ability to truly do what’s in the best interest of the child.”
Critics of the law said it will cause chaos in the lives of children and confusion in child custody and support cases.
More New Laws
California Minimum Wage Rising To $9 Per Hour
July 1, 2014(AP) -- California's minimum wage is rising to $9 per hour, providing workers with the first increase since 2008.
California State Employees Receive Pay Raises Starting July 1
June 30, 2014California state employees will be getting the first pay raise many of them have had in years starting Tuesday.
California's Paid Family Leave Program Expansion Starts July 1
June 27, 2014A law that extends California’s paid family leave benefit to people caring for grandchildren, grandparents, siblings and in-laws will go into effect July 1. The original law took effect on the same day 10 years ago.
Capitol Roundup: New Sentencing Ballot Measure, State Help For Food Industry
June 26, 2014California voters will decide this fall whether some low-level drug and theft offenses should be tried as misdemeanors instead of felonies. Meanwhile, the Legislature and Board of Equalization are pushing policies to help the food industry.
New Workplace Protections for Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Abuse Victims
January 6, 2014Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in California no longer have to worry about being fired or discriminated against at their workplace under a new state law now in effect.
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