More Cities and States are Supporting Domestic Partnerships

Talks have long been underway to extend benefits to domestic partners in Milwaukee County, and it seems as though the time is almost here to put them into effect.

According to a statement released by the County Board, a preliminary document was drafted in 2009 to extend health insurance and additional benefits to domestic partners of city employees. However, it was dismissed by then-County Executive Scott Walker and supported by many who argued that it would place an undue burden on the county. Now that there is a new County Executive in office, the measure is back on the drawing board and is likely to pass this month.

These benefits would be extended to heterosexual and homosexual domestic partners and the county is supportive of extending equal rights to these parties. In total, the new measure would add an extra cost of $700,000 per year, a much smaller figure than the 2009 figure of $4 million annually. Since county employees are now paying higher costs for their own healthcare, the cost to taxpayers would be minimal to allow domestic partners to access healthcare through the county.

More and more cities and states are adopting laws to support the rights and benefits of same-sex couples, including the state of New York. If you are in a domestic relationship and have questions pertaining to your benefits as a same-sex partner, contact us today to receive answers from a Long Island family law attorney.