New Mexico Moves Closer to Equality

When the New Mexico state legislature re-convenes on January 20, 2009, one of the first bills to be considered is House bill, HB 21, a domestic partnership bill which is sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuqurque.

The Bill would establish that two unmarried people who live together as a committed couple are entitled to receive the same “rights and responsibilities” under state law as a married couple. Both straight and gay couples could become domestic partners by filing the proper paperwork and paying the processing fee to the county clerk.

Linda Siegle, a lobbyist for Equality New Mexico stated;

“Passage of the legislation would be hugely significant for a couple who wants their relationship to have legal protections.  People will be able to inherit without having a will. They’ll be able to visit in the hospital and make decisions on their partner’s behalf, just like spouses may do now. They’ll also be eligible for state retirement benefits. And these are just a few of the benefits that married couples now have that unmarried couples do not.”