New Mexico House
Passes Domestic-Partnership Bill

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)