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Colo. law on same-sex benefits heads to governor
Associated Press
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
DENVER (AP) - A bill allowing partners of gay and lesbian state workers to get health insurance coverage is headed to the governor.
The bill got final approval Tuesday in the House. Same-sex partners who've been in a committed relationship with a state employee for at least a year would qualify for coverage.
The sponsor, Democratic Rep. Mark Ferrandino of Denver, says gay couples don't have the option of marrying and it's only fair to provide an alternative.
Republican Rep. Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs says it will be costly and is unfair to heterosexual couples who are committed but not married.
Opponents also say the measure violates the will of the voters, who passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage and rejected domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
The bill got final approval Tuesday in the House. Same-sex partners who've been in a committed relationship with a state employee for at least a year would qualify for coverage.
The sponsor, Democratic Rep. Mark Ferrandino of Denver, says gay couples don't have the option of marrying and it's only fair to provide an alternative.
Republican Rep. Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs says it will be costly and is unfair to heterosexual couples who are committed but not married.
Opponents also say the measure violates the will of the voters, who passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage and rejected domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
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