Senate Hearing On The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act Scheduled

Originally posted at Lez Get Real. Thanks Paula!

S. 1102, The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Dec. 16th, to consider amendments to the bill before voting to pass it on to the Senate floor for full debate. Lieberman is Chairman of that committee.

The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) would provide the same family benefits to lesbian and gay federal civilian employees as are already provided to employees with different-sex spouses. To receive benefits, employees would have to submit an affidavit of eligibility for benefits with the Office of Personnel Management, certifying that the employee and domestic partner meet necessary criteria, as provided in the Act.

Last month the House Oversight and Government Relations Committee voted 23-12 to send its version of the DPBO Act, H.R. 2517, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to the House floor for a vote.

In a ceremony at the White House in June, President Obama voiced his support for the measure.

Fifty-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies currently provide domestic partner benefits to their employees. In addition, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and over 150 local governments make benefits available to public employees and their same-sex partners. DPBO would bring employment practices in the federal government in line with those local governments and companies.