Gregoire Signs Bill Recognizing Domestic Partners in
WA
May 27, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Washington Governor
Christine Gregoire signed into law S.B. 5688, which
essentially makes state-registered domestic partnerships the
equivalent of marriages.
Under the bill, domestic partners in Washington
have to be treated the same as married persons for all
purposes under state law (see
Domestic Partners in WA Would Have More
Rights under New Bill
). The bill requires state agencies to amend their
rules so those in registered domestic partnerships are
covered by all privileges, immunities, rights, benefits
and responsibilities applicable to married people under
state law.
In addition, the measure provides that the terms
"spouse," "marital,"
"marriage," "husband,"
"wife," "widow," "widower,"
"next of kin" and "family" apply to
state-registered domestic partnerships in the same way
they apply to marital relationships and spouses.
According to an SHRM news report, the bill passed
the state House by a vote of 62-35 and the Senate by
30-18. It becomes effective July 26 unless opponents
seeking to repeal it can collect enough signatures to get
a referendum on the November ballot.
Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com