May 20, 2008 6:19 pm US/Eastern
Miami-Dade Approves Domestic Partnership Benefits
Jose "Pepe" Diaz Wanted All Partners To Be Included In Benefits
The Vote Was 8-4; Christian Coalition Vowed To Fight This Law
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Miami-Dade County Commission has passed a proposal to extend health insurance benefits and other legal rights to the domestic partners who live with county employees, including gay couples.
The commission voted 8-4 in favor of the proposal which will establish a domestic partner registry for the entire county. Couples will be able to register their partnerships with the county's Consumer Services Department by late August. The system is open to unmarried, nonrelated couples, gay or straight, who are at least 18 and live together.
"We think this is a win-win for everyone, for couples, for the county, for hospitals, for insurance companies, a win-win all around," said Heddy Peña, Executive Director of Save Dade.
Now couples who register as domestic partners, regardless of gender, have the same visitation rights to hospitals and jails as married couples. County employees will also be able to buy health coverage for their partners and children.
"Something amazing happened today for domestic partners to have the same rights," said Tobias Parker, with Equality Florida. "All they have to do is register."
An estimated 900 couples are expected to register this year.
The Christian Coalition vowed to fight the law in court.
"It's discrimination to leave out family members and putting strangers first; it's discriminatory and unjust," said Anthony Verdugo, of the Christian Family Coalition.
It also allows unmarried partners to have hospital and jail visitation rights in Miami-Dade healthcare facilities, jails and juvenile detention centers. In addition to being able to visit each other, they would have the same rights as spouses to visit a partner's children and parents.
Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz was also against the plan, saying health benefits should include extended family members who live under one roof.
"I can't sit here in good faith and vote for something that leaves out family members," said Diaz.
Other commissioners say the inclusion of other family members under the plan would need further study.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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