New Mexico's
house of representatives passed a bill Thursday that would
permit domestic partnerships for gay and straight couples.
New Mexico's
house of representatives passed a bill Thursday that would
permit domestic partnerships for gay and straight couples.
The measure, proposed by former presidential candidate
and current governor Bill Richardson, will give
registered unmarried couples the same rights and
benefits as married couples, according to the Las
Cruces Sun-News. The vote was 33–31 along
party lines, with Democrats supporting the bill, HB9.
The legislation would also recognize same-sex
partnerships legalized in 10 other states and
Washington, D.C.
The bill will go
to the senate next, where a similar measure failed in
2007.
Under the
legislation, registered partners would be able to obtain
medical coverage through their partner's health insurance
plan, visit a partner in the hospital, or take medical
leave to care for each other. They would also be
afforded rights to make property and inheritance
decisions on behalf of a dead or dying partner. The law
would also grant couples the same responsibilities in
child support, visitation, and custody in divorce.
"Is this bill
contrary to God, contrary to marriage?" asked Rep.
Antonio "Moe" Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat, as quoted by
the Sun-News. "And the answer is no. Not a
single married couple in this state will get divorced
because of this bill. Not a single couple that is
engaged ... will cancel that wedding as a result of
this bill. Not a single straight person will become gay as a
result of this bill."
House
Republicans, like Nora Espinoza, told the Sun-News
that she worries the bill will jeopardize the sanctity
of marriage.
"If this bill
passes, courts will not be able to favor traditional
families involving one man and one woman over a homosexual
couple in matters of adoption," she said.
In 2003,
Richardson enacted an executive order to extend similar
rights to gay employees of the state. (The
Advocate)
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