Debate on Domestic Partnership Expected in January
The first big controversy of the 2008 session of the General Assembly could play out one day after it opens.
At 2 p.m. Jan..10, the joint House-Senate committee that oversees government regulations will hold a hearing on a proposed regulation defining domestic partnerships in state law. The debate is likely to be the opening volley in a battle between advocates and opponents of same-sex marriage.
The regulation was released this month by the Maryland Insurance Administration to comply with a new law on health insurance coverage that takes effect Jan..1. The law requires insurance companies to offer benefits to domestic partners if their employers ask for it.
Missing was a definition of domestic partner. The proposed regulation says such couples can be straight or gay and must be living together and in a "committed relationship of mutual interdependence" for at least six consecutive months. The couple can verify their union with three documents, choosing from among other items a will, a joint bank account and a driver's license listing a common address.
Some Republicans say that's much too generous a definition and a move by Democrats in Annapolis to lay the groundwork to legalize same-sex marriage in the upcoming session. Advocates plan to push such a bill after losing their bid in the state's highest court this fall, and opponents plan to fight back with an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
The hearing before the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review should be well attended.
By Anne Bartlett |
December 24, 2007; 8:58 AM ET
| Category:
Lisa Rein
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Posted by: NALL92 | December 27, 2007 2:38 PM
I welcome this move by the Democrats because it will lead to the end of their domination of state politics. Maryland is not Massachusetts. Maryland has a large minority population, and minorities, on average, do not accept homosexuality. As most minority voters are registered Democrats, this battle will be fun to watch.
Posted by: Political outsider | January 1, 2008 9:17 PM
As of today, my partner was informed by his company that they are canceling the DPB (Domestic Partner Benefits) today. A decision made by senior management that takes effect immediately. However this major company continues to offer DPB to other employees in DC and other states. We carried DPB last year and signed up for the fall registration and renewed successfully. Now our family only has insurance on one of the two parents. Our livelihood is affected and this is another attempt to discriminate against GLBT people. How is making someone suffer who has a right to the earned and paid benefit is anybody's business, is beyond me. This company offered the benefit and now the radical right wing is attacking those who have it by saying a straight, unmarried, couple is complaining they can't get the DPB. Well, go get married!
Enough of the constant attacking of vibrant successful families who happen to be GLB or T. As a former Marine I ask you to let my family live our lives as the Proud American Christian family that we are. I know we will continue to pray for those who don't see love of family is what drives our hope, until we have benefits for our family. God's speed to ALL families who strive to raise and nurture their children the best they can be!
Posted by: lost benefits family | January 7, 2008 10:43 PM
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As long as ALL couples straight or gay are covered i'm fine with this.