| Section 1841 has been amended to delete reference to gender- |
| specific terms and has been made gender neutral to include all |
| parent-child relationships. Recent advancements in science make |
| possible the birth of children through the use of assisted |
| reproduction and gestational agreements. As a result, new |
| parent-child relationships are being created and new and |
| unanticipated issues relating to the parentage of these children |
| have arisen. Many of Maine's courts are struggling with these |
| issues now. The UPA is made gender neutral to provide guidance |
| in the resolution of these new and unanticipated issues and to |
| ensure equal treatment of every child in Maine regardless of the |
| circumstances of the child's parent or parents. |