Bill Would Guarantee that Domestic Partners Receive Same Rights and Benefits as Married Couples

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Les Fossel has put forward a bill to ensure that couples on Maine’s Domestic Partner Registry receive the same legal rights and benefits as married couples. The bill, entitled An Act to Expand Rights for Maine Families, was submitted on January 15 to the Legislature’s Revisor of Statutes, where the official language of the legislation will be developed.

Rep. Fossel (R-Alna), a first-term legislator, said that all couples, whether married or not, deserve equal treatment in the eyes of the law. “Currently, there are legal and technical differences that create disadvantages for many Maine families,” he said. “My bill aims to remove these differences from Maine law.”

Under Maine law, married couples enjoy certain rights that are denied to unmarried couples in a variety of areas, including financial benefits. Rep. Fossel’s bill would eliminate these disparities and put all couples on equal footing. “The intent is to make people whole,” he said.

Rep. Fossel’s bill follows the submission of legislation to eliminate the prohibition of same-sex marriage in Maine, sponsored by State Sen. Dennis Damon (D-Hancock County). Rep. Fossel predicted that the Damon proposal would engender an emotional debate in the Legislature and, if passed, would face a people’s veto initiative.

“We don’t need a hot, divisive debate with siege guns,” Rep. Fossel said. “Democracy is all about finding a middle ground. This bill might not be perfect for everyone, but it is the only bill with a chance of succeeding without immediately triggering a referendum to repeal. I suggest we’re far better off with an equitable solution than with animosity and division.”

Under Maine’s Domestic Partner Registry, registered partners are accorded a legal status similar to that of a married person with respect to matters of probate, guardianships, protection from abuse and related matters. The registry is housed within the Office of Health Data and Program Management, Bureau of Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.