Originally published March 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 5, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Legislature passes domestic partnership expansion bill
The Legislature has passed a measure to expand the state's domestic partnership law, granting same-sex couples more than 170 of the benefits...
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — The Legislature has passed a measure to expand the state's domestic partnership law, granting same-sex couples more than 170 of the benefits and responsibilities given to married couples, including property and guardianship rights.
The Senate gave final approval Tuesday on a 29-20 vote after minimal debate. The bill now goes to Gov. Christine Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.
The measure adds domestic partners to sections of laws where previously only spouses were mentioned, including areas referring to probate and trusts, community property and homestead exemptions, and guardianship and powers of attorney.
The underlying domestic partnership law, passed last year, already provides hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations and inheritance rights when there is no will.
More than 3,500 couples have registered as domestic partners since the law took effect last year.
"Our work last year was only a start," said Sen. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle. "Domestic partners still lack the vast majority of protections granted other couples."
The measure makes dozens of changes to state law, including requiring domestic partners of public officials to submit financial disclosure forms, just as the spouses of heterosexual officials do.
It also would give domestic partners the same spousal testimony rights that married couples have, allowing domestic partners the right to refuse to testify against each other in court.
Opponents argued that expanding the current law brings the state closer to allowing same-sex marriage.
"This bill provides most of the rights of marriage," said Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester. "It would take little to achieve gay marriage other than simply a name change."
Lawmakers rejected two amendments, including one that would have required the measure to be approved by voters.
Under the measure, the process of ending a domestic partnership also would be changed, allowing the secretary of state to end partnerships only in the first five years, with several more restrictions relating to children, real property or unpaid debts.
![]()
All other partnerships would be dissolved in Superior Court — similar to conventional divorce.
To be registered as partners, couples must share a home, must not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18.
In a provision similar to California law, unmarried heterosexual senior couples also are eligible for domestic partnerships if one partner is at least 62. Lawmakers said that provision was included to help seniors who are at risk of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.
— — —
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
Federal Way group on trail of missing pets
UPDATE - 11:16 AM
Climber who died in fall was Duvall woman

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- Blackbird Spring Half-Yearly Sale
- REI Summer Sale and Clearance
- Kibbn Storewide Summer Sale
editors' picks
- Belltown shopping
- Hair salons for kids
- Knitting, sewing and craft stores
- Phinney Ridge & Greenwood shopping
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
Star Wars Collectibles! - $50
MUST SELL!!1 Carat 5-Ston... $1499
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Relative: Police say woman with McNair bought gun
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Mariners Blog | What the Seattle Mariners learned on their road trip
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
248 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
200 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
139 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
132 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
114 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
111 - Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
69 - What Mariners learned on this road trip
68 - FBI denounces rumors: Palin not investigated
56 - Bicyclist fatally hit by SUV outside Bremerton
54
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- 250 gather in field near Twisp for fairy congress
- New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
