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California Assembly Approves Bill Allowing More Than 2 Parents

SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) -- The California Assembly has approved a bill that would allow children to have more than two legal parents.

Lawmakers approved SB1476 on a party line vote Monday, with Democrats supporting it. The legislation by Sen. Mark Leno, a San Francisco Democrat, would allow judges to legally recognize multiple parents when it is in a child's best interest to have more than two parental relationships.

Opponents say the bill erodes traditional parental roles. It would not change existing standards for legal parenthood, only the number of parents a court can recognize.

Other states, including Pennsylvania and Maine, already allow judges to recognize more than two parents in custody cases.

The bill passed 50-19 and returns to the Senate for a final vote.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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