For Immediate Release

January 13, 2006

GILL BILLS GIVING RIGHTS TO DOMESTIC PARTNERS SIGNED

Legislation Would Give Partners Say in Funeral Arrangements, Expand Health Coverage

TRENTON - Two bills sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill which will expand the rights currently provided to domestic partners under the State's partnership laws were signed into law yesterday by Governor Codey.

"For too long, some couples have had to deal with the specters of hatred and bigotry, and State sanctions which perpetrated those evils by denying them some of the most basic civil rights in regards to their loved ones," said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. "It's about time we do right, and push for equal and fair treatment of all our State's citizens."

The first bill, S-2083, extends to the surviving member of a domestic partnership certain rights upon the death of his or her partner. In particular, the bill will give the surviving partner the right to arrange a funeral when the deceased does not have a will, and would arrange for the partner to receive an inheritance equal to what a surviving spouse under would receive under current law if there was no will.

The second bill, S-2167, will allow local government entities to provide domestic partners with health benefits, equal to what a spouse might get, for government employees who are not already a part of the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP). The partners of employees already enrolled in the SHBP receive health benefits from the original bill establishing domestic partnerships in New Jersey.

"It has been an uphill struggle for same-sex partners to receive recognition under the law, and they're still not considered equal to married couples," said Senator Gill. "However, piece by piece, and civil right by civil right, we will win them the equality that they so richly deserve. Changing the course of public opinion is not easy, often taking generations to undo the prejudices of the past, but with persistence, we will someday realize a world where true love, in whatever form it may come, is celebrated, not shunned."

S-2083 was approved by both the Senate and Assembly earlier in the month. S-2167 was approved by the Assembly earlier this month, but was approved by the Senate last May.