CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A bill to extend to domestic partners inheritance rights in Maine received preliminary approval by a one-vote margin on Wednesday in the state senate. The 18-17 vote came five days after the house of representatives adopted the measure, which applies to male-female as well as same-sex domestic partnerships. The bill's supporters say it would establish equality in the treatment of domestic partners who are faced with the death of their partner, but opponents say it opens the door to same-sex marriages. During a brief debate assistant senate minority leader Chandler Woodcock said the bill would place "a terrific burden" on the already overburdened probate courts. The Farmington Republican also said the bill is unnecessary because domestic partners can express their final wishes in wills. Sen. Peggy Pendleton (D-Scarborough), a supporter, cited figures showing that only half of Americans write wills. "This bill addresses those who die without a will," said Pendleton. As amended by an identical 18-17 roll call in the senate, the bill also creates a domestic-partnership registry within the state Health Bureau, in which those who meet certain criteria could register as domestic partners by filing notarized forms with the registry. With the amendment the house and senate have endorsed separate versions of the bill. The two chambers must agree on a single version if it is to win enactment.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM