Legislation
Federal Legislation
Respect for Marriage Act
The Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) repeals DOMA and restores the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.
The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
This bill would provide domestic partnership benefits to all federal civilian employees on the same basis as spousal benefits. These benefits, available for both same- and opposite-sex domestic partners of federal employees, would include participation in applicable retirement programs, compensation for work injuries and life and health insurance benefits.
Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act
Currently, the Internal Revenue Code excludes from income the value of employer-provided insurance premiums and benefits received by employees for coverage of an employee’s spouse and dependents, but does not extend this treatment to coverage of domestic partners or other persons who do not qualify as a “dependent” (such as certain grown children living at home who are covered under a parent’s plan or children who receive coverage through a grandparent or parent’s domestic partner).
The Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
The Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit an employee to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave from work if his or her domestic partner or same-sex spouse has a serious health condition.
State Legislation
Arizona HB 2543/SB 1397
Would permit gay, lesbian or straight couples to register as domestic partners and receive a limited bundle of rights, including hospital visitation, emergency medical decision-making, and inheritance.Arkansas HB 2176
Would prohibit a county or municipality from creating a domestic partnership registry or other certification process recognizing a domestic partner relationship not recognized by the state constitution. Existing laws creating such registries would be void.California HR 5/SR 7
Would state the legislature’s opposition to Proposition 8 on the grounds that it was an improper revision, not an amendment, of the state constitution, and was improperly enacted.
Colorado HB 1260
Would add permit couples (gay, lesbian, or heterosexual) to enter into “designated beneficiary agreements”.Connecticut SB 899
Would codify the Connecticut state Supreme Court decision in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health recognizing marriage under state law for gay and lesbian couples.Delaware SB 27
Proposed an amendment to the state constitution providing that only a marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid in Delaware.Florida HB 1067/SB 1642
Would permit couples to register as domestic partners and receive the rights and responsibilities provided to married spouses under state law.Hawaii HB 444
Would allow gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities provided to spouses under state law.
Illinois HB 178
This bill would provide for marriage equality under state law.
Illinois HB 2234
Would permit couples, lesbian, gay or heterosexual, to enter into civil unions and receive the rights and responsibilities given to married couples under state law.Page 1 of 5 Previous | Next