WASHINGTON – State of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law last Wednesday, a Domestic Partnership Expansion bill that will provide more than 160 new rights and responsibilities to registered domestic partners under state law. The bill passed the Senate on March 4 by a 29-20 vote. It passed the House last month by a 62-32 vote.
A 2007 law created a domestic partner registry that provided specific rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples as well as opposite sex couples with one partner over age 62. The bill the Senate passed will expand on the 2007 law.
The new law becomes effective June 12.
Topics:
News