Baldacci signs bill creating domestic partnerships (Maine)

AUGUSTA, Maine — As he signed a bill Wednesday creating domestic partnerships in Maine, Gov. John Baldacci said the state is demonstrating its commitment to civil rights by enacting a priority for gay-rights activists.

The new law, which takes effect 90 days after the signing, extends domestic partnership rights to heterosexual or gay adults who live together under long-term arrangements. It also gives domestic partners the same inheritance rights as a spouse when a married partner dies without a will.

"From the beginning, this has been about fairness and justice for what are today's families here in Maine, and giving them the same protections that certain married couples have already," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Ben Dudley, D-Portland.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/statehouse/040429domestic.shtml

thanks for posting :)

Only CA and NJ currently have such statewide registries. I think that though the goal is civil equality, we must'nt forget the importance of such measures.

this year.

Married benefits will apply to same sex marriages, but if a gay couple lacks commitment to get married - no benefits for non-worker partner.