| NJ Assembly approves domestic-partner bill
Earlier, a Senate panel backed a similar plan for legal rights and financial
aid to same-sex couples.
By Robert Moran, philly.com from the Web December 17, 2003
TRENTON. Dec 16 -- The state Assembly narrowly approved controversial legislation last night that would grant certain legal rights and financial benefits to same-sex couples.
The vote, taken after nearly an hour of debate, was 41-28, with nine abstentions. The bill required 41 votes to pass.
"Thank God," Laura Pople, president of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, said immediately after the vote was recorded.
Earlier in the day, a state Senate committee approved an identical measure. The bills could be merged and sent to Gov. McGreevey, who has indicated he would sign the legislation.
"I think this is one of the most significant issues we will deal with this term," said Sen. Robert J. Martin (R., Morris), who voted for the legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Concerns were raised, however, over a provision to provide the same benefits to opposite-sex couples 62 and older.
John T. Tomicki, executive director of the League of American Families, threatened to challenge the legislation in court on the ground that the 62-and-older provision was discriminatory against younger heterosexual couples.
Sen. Peter A. Inverso (R., Mercer), complained that the bill's sponsor, Senate Copresident Richard J. Codey (D., Essex), had not attended the committee meeting to explain the reason for including the provision.
Supporters have said some older couples want domestic-partner benefits, but do not want to marry due to potential penalties on pensions and other financial interests.
Inverso was the only "no" vote. Sen. George F. Geist (R., Gloucester) abstained, saying he had only recently been provided a copy of the bill and had not had a chance to review it.
Among the seven senators who voted for the bill were committee cochairmen John H. Adler (D., Camden) and William L. Gormley (R., Atlantic).
Critics said the bill was an endorsement by the state of couples living together out of wedlock.
Though the bill does not explicitly deal with marriage, opponents raised the subject.
The legislation is "an incremental step to same-sex marriage," said Seriah Rein, chairwoman of the Council on the American Family.
"It is not an assault on marriage," said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D., Camden), a cosponsor of the Assembly bill, introduced in June by Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen).
McGreevey has said he opposes same-sex marriage.
Both bills would provide for hospital-visitation and decision-making rights, an inheritance-tax exemption, and a state income-tax deduction for dependents.
The bills also would provide partners of state employees with health insurance and pension coverage, and would outlaw discrimination against domestic partners.
At least 10 states offer government employees domestic-partner health benefits for same-sex couples and some for opposite-sex couples. Several state governments offer bereavement leave.
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Rendell extended family and sick-leave benefits to same-sex partners of some state employees this year.
In the private sector, more than a third of Fortune 500 companies nationwide offer domestic-partner benefits.
To receive any of these benefits, couples have to file an affidavit of domestic partnership with a local registrar. To end a domestic partnership, couples have to pursue a divorce-like proceeding in Superior Court.
Last month, a Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by seven gay couples who sought to have relationships legally recognized in New Jersey. The case is on appeal.
Contact staff writer Robert Moran at 609-989-9016 or bmoran@phillynews.com.
Thanks to GayPASG.org for identifying this article. |
