01.28.08
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.
In 2003, Richardson enacted an executive order to extend similar rights to gay employees of the state.