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Nevada lawmakers approve new domestic partner law
Nevada lawmakers approve new domestic partner law
Over the weekend, legislators in Nevada overturned a veto by Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons of an important piece of equal rights legislation:
The bill provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts. It also prohibits discrimination against domestic partners.
The House approved the override by a 28-14 on Sunday, while the Senate approved the measure a day earlier.
The Nevada Domestic Partnership Law does NOT provide domestic partners with all the same rights as married couples. It specifically states that ". . .with certain exceptions, domestic partners have the same rights, protections, benefits, responsibilities, obligations and duites as do parties to any other CIVIL contract created pursuant to title 11 of NRS (Nevada Revised Statutes)."
While a major leap forward in equal rights for persons seeking to legitimize their relationship, it does not provide complete parity with married couples. For instance, this bill provides that employers (public or private) are not mandated to provide health care benefits to the domestic partner of an employee. As it goes into practice on October 1, 2009, other "deficiencies" may arise. However, even with its possible flaws, it is a move forward and a blessing for many couples, not just same sex couples.