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(Harrisburg, PA) -- Life Partners in Harrisburg could soon have a more streamlined process for obtaining healthcare benefits and receive some of the same benefits in the City as married couples. City Council Vice President Dan Miller introduced an initiative today to create a citywide domestic partnership registry. Miller says the voluntary registry, created by Harrisburg City Ordinance No. 15 of 2008, will make it easier for businesses to determine domestic partners' eligibility for healthcare and other benefits, where offered. The designation also grants domestic partners, committed to each other's maintenance and well being, visitation rights in health care facilities located within the city limits. Eligible couples need to be over 18 years old and living in the same home. They also need to meet three of five financial criteria, such as sharing a mortgage, bank account or being designated as a beneficiary on their partners' life insurance policy. The measure now heads to the city council for consideration. "We think this is an important step toward assuring that those citizens who share a committed life partnership are granted the same rights as any other citizen in the same situation."Council Vice President Miller said. "This is includes health care and visitation rights." Harrisburg Attorney Benjamin C. Dunlap, Jr., who reviewed the draft ordinance at Miller's request, commented: "This ordinance is entirely within City Council's powers to enact, under both the Third Class City Code and a recent decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. It conflicts with no federal or state laws." Miller added that, "One or both partners may jointly or separately terminate the registered life partnership by completing the Request for Removal from the Life Partnership Registry form. But they cannot re-register for a period of six months." For further information about this issue, contact Daniel C. Miller - Council Vice President dmiller@mdd701.com 717-234-2250, x101. Or Benjamin C. Dunlap, Jr, bdunlapjr@NSSH.com Nauman Smith law firm, 717.236.3010 |