Colorado governor signs partner bill

[ccharles000]

(Denver, Colorado) Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has signed a domestic partner bill making it easier for unmarried couples to make medical decisions for incapacitated partners and leave property to their partners.

The measure would apply to same- and opposite-sex unmarried couples.

The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act was passed last month in the state House of Representatives and the Senate. The new law, which will take effect on July 1, will permit any two people – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - to enter into designated beneficiary agreements that confer specific legal rights and responsibilities, including the right to receive state employee pension benefits, the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, and the right to inherit if a partner dies without a will.

“Today is a good day for Colorado and all Coloradans,” said Rep. Mark Ferrandino (D), author of the bill. “This new law provides tools that allow individuals to designate the person they wish to make medical and end of life decisions and who will receive inheritance in the absence of a will, among other things. This is a good step towards providing equal treatment under the law for all of Colorado’s families.”

Republicans, however, denounced the bill.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg (R) dismissed the measure as “marriage light.”

In 2006, voters passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The same year, they rejected another ballot issue that would have given same-sex couples many of the rights of marriage, including property inheritance rights and the power to make medical and funeral arrangements.

http://www.365gay.com/news/colorado-governor-signs-partner-bill/

[cali]

1. lame, lame, lame.

[ccharles000]

2. I agree

but you know baby steps

[ccharles000]

3. kick