Introduced by Sen. Ed Murray (Seattle) (D) on January 17, 2007
To create the “State Domestic Partnership Registry.” Unmarried couples sharing a common residence and are either of the same-sex or are over the age of 62 can qualify for a state-registered domestic partnership. A domestic partnership would grant same-sex couples rights and privileges currently given to legally married couples. See companion HB 1351. Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on January 17, 2007
Substitute offered to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on February 5, 2007
To remove the provision that recognized partnerships, civil unions, and reciprocal beneficiary relationships that were created in another state. The substitute also adds domestic partners as beneficiaries of wrongful death actions. Information recorded on death certificates must include domestic partnership status and the surviving partner's information to the same extent that such information is recorded for marital status and the surviving spouse's information.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on March 1, 2007
Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Sen. Don Benton (Vancouver) (R) on March 1, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Mark Miloscia (Algona) (D) on April 10, 2007
To allow blood relatives to register as domestic partners; adds
the requirement that the two persons must be prohibited from marrying
each other under state law to register as domestic partners. To
register, domestic partners must file with the Secretary of State a
"declaration of domestic partners in a mutual beneficiary contract."
Recognizes as Washington domestic partnerships those civil
unions, domestic partnerships, and other relationships created in other
states, provided that the parties meet the requirements under the act.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 10, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne (North Bend) (R) on April 10, 2007
To provide a "reverse severability" clause. The entire
act is null and void and has no effect if any provision of the
act or its application to any person or circumstance is held
invalid.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 10, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne (North Bend) (R) on April 10, 2007
To strike the underlying bill and creates a registry
for mutual beneficiaries. To register as mutual beneficiaries,
two adults must be at least 18, not be married to another or in
a mutual beneficiary contract, be capable of consenting, and
execute and file a mutual beneficiary contract with the
Secretary of State (thus, same sex couples, different sex
couples, and blood relatives may register).
Provides rights to mutual beneficiaries as provided to domestic
partners in the underlying bill, except for the following
rights: (a) cause of action for wrongful death of partner; (b)
inclusion on death certificate; (c) PEBB benefits for state
employees' same sex partners; (d) right to consent to remove
human remains; (e) right to consent to dissection and autopsy,
and to receive autopsy report; and (f) right of partner to be
agent in power of attorney when partner is principal's
physician or owner of health care facility where principal is
treated.
Contains a referendum clause.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 10, 2007