MD Senate Approves Limited DP Protection

March 25, 2005

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Senators gave their approval Friday to a bill that would establish a limited domestic partner registry and give its members the authority to make medical decisions for each other.

The bill cleared the Senate on a 31-17 vote. It now goes to the House of Delegates.

The House passed similar legislation last year but which was waiting for Senate action before taking it up again this year.

The Medical Decision Making Act of 2005 creates a state health department registry of domestic partners, which may include same-sex or opposite-sex couples.

Those registered would have the right to make medical decisions for each other, visit their partners' hospital rooms, share rooms in nursing homes, share ambulance rides and make decisions about whether to bury or cremate after death.

New Jersey, Maine and California also have domestic partner registries, but those states offer a more broad range of rights to registry members.

While the Maryland bill was promoted by gay rights groups, it would apply to any unmarried couples who want to register.

During debate today in the Senate opponents the bill is not needed. Sen. Alex Mooney (R-Frederick) called the bill a step toward homosexual marriage and said its purpose is promoting the radical homosexual agenda.

Supporters said that the bill is not about gay marriage but is needed to help deal with a homophobic problem.

What the bill does is give fair rights in a reasoned way, he said, saying a vote in favor of it is a vote for civil rights and decency, said Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George's).

Yesterday, the House passed legislation that would add sexuality and gender identity to the categories of people protected under the state's hate crimes law. The legislation now moves to the Senate.

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor Maryland would become the 30th state to include protections for the LGBT community.