By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-986048.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida House Representative Mark Pafford wants the state to recognize Domestic Partnerships. Lynn Hatter reports he's filed a bill to allow domestic partners to collect health care benefits under the state.
Representative Pafford, a Democrat from West Palm Beach, says the filing is a response to the local municipalities that have adopted similar ideas. He also says domestic partnership provisions are often the only means for gay couples to get health care benefits. But it's not just for gay couples.
"You've got people who are widows and widowers and they're connected to benefits through their loved ones. They can't remarry without losing those benefits and they do co-habitate. They are in domestic partnerships. This is a bill that treats everyone equally and removes a form of discrimination in this state that's been around forever."
Pafford's domestic partnership bill is being co-sponsored in the Senate by fellow Democrat Eleanor Sobel. A similar bill was filed last year.