The House Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee passed the Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007), a bill that legally recognizes same-sex couples, by a bipartisan vote of 5-2.
Although the bill does not bestow the status of marriage on domestic partners, it does offer benefits, protections and responsibilities comparable to those offered to married individuals.
“The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, including the families of same-sex couples and their children,” according to the bill.
The term “civil union,” which was used in the bill to designate same-sex couples, has been changed to “domestic partnership.” Rep. Tina Kotek called the new title “far more understandable” and “a better choice” because some Oregon employers have been offering domestic partnership benefits for years, and California laws also term same-sex couples as domestic partners.
Measure 36, which passed in November 2004, amended the Oregon constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. HB 2007 does not challenge Oregon’s constitution by allowing marriage licenses, but it does offer benefits such as joint health, home and auto insurance.
Currently seven other states, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and California, offer similar benefits to those proposed in HB 2007, but only Massachusetts offers federally recognized marriage licenses. Federal protections include policies such as Social Security, family medical leave and federal taxation.
Senate Bill 2, the Oregon Equality Act, a bill that would ban discrimination in Oregon based on sexual orientation is also on the Rules Committee floor and expected by proponents to pass along with HB 2007.
– Jason Reed