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Federal Domestic Partnership Benefits Bill To Be Introduced

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will introduce the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act tomorrow at a press conference. The bill would make benefits such as health insurance and retirement benefits available to the domestic partners of federal employees.

Some of the bill’s co-sponsors, Nita Lowey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Furse (D-Ore.) Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Bob Filner (D-Calif.), among others, will be present, as well as representatives from supporting organizations. Supporters include federal employee labor unions, gay, lesbian and bisexual rights groups, religious and educational groups and businesses in the private sector.

The bill would allow domestic partners who are financially responsible for one another to participate in retirement programs, have access to life and health insurance, and receive compensation for work-related injuries — things which are all currently available to spouses of federal employees.

Sources:

Rep. Frank Press Release - October 28, 1997

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