1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to state employees; requiring that health insurance benefits be made
available to domestic partners of state employees if they are also made available
to spouses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 43A.02, by adding a
subdivision; 43A.24, subdivision 1.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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"Domestic partner" means an adult 18 years and
older who has entered into a committed interdependent relationship with another adult,
where the partners:
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(1) are responsible for each other's basic common welfare;
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(2) share a common residence and intend to do so indefinitely;
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(3) are not related by blood or adoption to an extent that would prohibit marriage in
this state; and
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(4) are legally competent and qualified to enter into a contract.
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For purposes of this subdivision, domestic partners may share a common residence,
even if:
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(1) they do not each have a legal right to possess the residence; or
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(2) one or both domestic partners possess additional real property.
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If one domestic partner temporarily leaves the common residence with the intention
to return, the domestic partners continue to share a common residence for the purposes
of this subdivision.
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Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Employees, including persons on layoff from a civil
service position, and employees who are employed less than full time, shall be eligible
for state paid life insurance and hospital, medical and dental benefits as provided in
collective bargaining agreements or plans established pursuant to section 43A.18. new text begin If a
collective bargaining agreement or plan provides state paid health insurance for spouses of
employees, the insurance must be made available to domestic partners of state employees
on the same terms and conditions.
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