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A House committee approved legislation June 2 that would allow the same-sex domestic partners of state workers to purchase health insurance and receive some pension payments under Delaware’s employee benefits plans.
Sponsor Rep. Teresa Schooley, D-Newark, told the House Appropriations Committee at a hearing that the bill addresses a matter of equal rights.
“It seems like a point of fairness that folks should be offered this opportunity,” she said.
Schooley’s legislation is a substitute for House Bill 10, introduced last year.
That bill provided same-sex partners of state workers would be entitled to the same health insurance coverage as heterosexual spouses, and that the state would pay for it.
In light of the state’s hamstrung budget, Schooley filed substitute legislation that still allows same-sex partners access to the plans afforded to straight couples, but it requires them to pay for it.
“We’ve spent a lot of time trying to rework this,” Schooley said. “Partners may now buy into the program. It’s no cost to the state.”
In addition to offering health insurance coverage, the bill also allows a same-sex partner of a state worker, termed a “spousal equivalent” in the legislation, to collect pension benefits upon the death of the beneficiary.
To prove domestic partnership, the bill would require the couple to sign an affidavit and produce some documentation of a quasi-marital relationship, like a joint deed or bank account.
Schooley said the bill, if enacted, would affect as many as 460 of the 34,000 people currently covered by state benefits plans.
The state Office of Management and Budget, which oversees state employee benefits, said the bill would cost as much as $80,000 to implement, mostly to alter payroll systems and prepare a mailing for distribution to all state workers.
Supporters of the legislation said the committee’s vote to release the bill to the House floor for debate is an important milestone.
Frann Anderson, who has worked for the Department of Health and Social Services for 11 years, said the state offers her the opportunity to buy insurance for her pet through the employee benefits plan, but she can’t get health insurance for her partner of 22 years.
“Unless this bill passes, I won’t be able to have the full benefits I should get as a state employee,” she said.
Anderson also said though the plan laid out in the bill isn’t perfect since the state doesn’t pick up the tab, she understands the fiscal constraints.
A House committee approved legislation June 2 that would allow the same-sex domestic partners of state workers to purchase health insurance and receive some pension payments under Delaware’s employee benefits plans.
Sponsor Rep. Teresa Schooley, D-Newark, told the House Appropriations Committee at a hearing that the bill addresses a matter of equal rights.
“It seems like a point of fairness that folks should be offered this opportunity,” she said.
Schooley’s legislation is a substitute for House Bill 10, introduced last year.
That bill provided same-sex partners of state workers would be entitled to the same health insurance coverage as heterosexual spouses, and that the state would pay for it.
In light of the state’s hamstrung budget, Schooley filed substitute legislation that still allows same-sex partners access to the plans afforded to straight couples, but it requires them to pay for it.
“We’ve spent a lot of time trying to rework this,” Schooley said. “Partners may now buy into the program. It’s no cost to the state.”
In addition to offering health insurance coverage, the bill also allows a same-sex partner of a state worker, termed a “spousal equivalent” in the legislation, to collect pension benefits upon the death of the beneficiary.
To prove domestic partnership, the bill would require the couple to sign an affidavit and produce some documentation of a quasi-marital relationship, like a joint deed or bank account.
Schooley said the bill, if enacted, would affect as many as 460 of the 34,000 people currently covered by state benefits plans.
The state Office of Management and Budget, which oversees state employee benefits, said the bill would cost as much as $80,000 to implement, mostly to alter payroll systems and prepare a mailing for distribution to all state workers.
Supporters of the legislation said the committee’s vote to release the bill to the House floor for debate is an important milestone.
Frann Anderson, who has worked for the Department of Health and Social Services for 11 years, said the state offers her the opportunity to buy insurance for her pet through the employee benefits plan, but she can’t get health insurance for her partner of 22 years.
“Unless this bill passes, I won’t be able to have the full benefits I should get as a state employee,” she said.
Anderson also said though the plan laid out in the bill isn’t perfect since the state doesn’t pick up the tab, she understands the fiscal constraints.
“I think all state employees recognize the financial strains we’re under,” she said. “It’s not ideal. It would be nice if the state could pay.”
Drew Fennell, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware, said the bill moves in the right direction.
“I think it’s a good step toward equal pay for equal work,” she said. “At least for those who need [state insurance] it would be available.”
Schooley noted that 23 states, the District of Columbia, hundreds of towns and cities as well as half of all Fortune 500 companies offer same-sex domestic partner benefits.
“We’re just trying to catch up,” she said.
Email Doug Denison at doug.denison@doverpost.com.
