Legislation
Federal Legislation
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.
Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Fairness in the workplace has been recognized as a fundamental right protected under federal law. Currently, federal law provides basic legal protection against employment discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin or disability, but not sexual orientation or gender identity and gender expression.
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
Colorado SB 88
Would add “domestic partners” to the list of dependents eligible for coverage under state employee group benefit plans.
Arizona HB 2455
Would prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodations and other areas based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Arizona HB 2598/SB 1219
Would provide family leave benefits to family members, including domestic partners, of state employees.Arizona SB 1368
Would prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Connecticut HB 6452
Would update Connecticut’s anti-discrimination laws to add gender identity or expression as protected categories.Delaware HB 5
Would amend existing anti-discrimination laws, including in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations, to add sexual orientation as a protected category.Florida HB 397/SB 2012
Would amend the Florida Civil Rights Act to add sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, as well as pregnancy and familial status, as protected categories.Idaho SB 1118
Would require group insurers that provide coverage for spouses of insured persons to also make coverage available for domestic partners of insured person, if requested by employers.Indiana HB 1250
Would extend existing anti-discrimination laws to apply to discrimination motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, and other traits.
Kansas SB 169
Would extend existing anti-discrimination laws to apply to discrimination motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity.Page 1 of 4 Previous | Next