Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 - Provides that a federal employee and his or her domestic partner shall be entitled to benefits available to, and shall be subject to obligations imposed upon, a married federal employee and his or her spouse.
Defines "domestic partner" to mean an adult unmarried person living with another adult unmarried person of the same sex in a committed, intimate relationship. Defines "benefits" to include federal health insurance and enhanced dental and vision benefits, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, and benefits for disability, death, or captivity. Excludes members of the uniformed services from the definition of "employee."
Sets forth requirements for filing: (1) an affidavit of eligibility as such a domestic partner, which shall include a certification that the employee and the domestic partner are each other's sole domestic partners and intend to remain so indefinitely; and (2) a statement upon dissolution of such a domestic partnership.
H. R. 2517 is related to enforcing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act signed on January 29, 2009. The Ledbetter Act is designed to promote "equal pay for equal work." When addressing Anti-Discrimination Laws, Obama, is paraphrased as saying:
He supports repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security, and also believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.
The issue of offering spousal insurance option to domestic partners is a controversial topic. Having the option to provide employee health insurance is noble. In Utah the state attempted to remove domestic partner laws. Several people were insulted by the activity and not because they were in same sex relationships. Caregivers and families utilized domestic partnership so younger people can be caregivers to remain on parent's health insurance plan.
This potential law is not a marriage. It is a means give people options blocked by policies commonly practiced in the insurance industry. While it is applied to government employees, people may want to look into domestic partnership as an option in their state.
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