California gay inheritance bill passes

The California senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow surviving domestic partners to inherit property under intestate succession laws. Under the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek), the property of a registered domestic partner who died without a will would go to the surviving partner, in the same manner as surviving spouses inherit. The bill now goes back to the state assembly for concurrence in senate amendments. Gay political group the California Alliance for Pride and Equality welcomed the news. "CAPE commends the members of the senate for their compassion and sensitivity in supporting this crucial right for domestic partners in California," said Geoffrey Kors, interim executive director of CAPE. "Too often the tragedy of losing a life partner is compounded by the sudden loss of economic stability when a partner's property and assets are dispersed to often distant relatives. AB 2216 will help remedy this."