TRENTON – Senator Nia H. Gill, D-Essex and Passaic, made the following statement today following the final passage of bill S-2083, which would give domestic partners funeral and inheritance rights, and S-2167, which would permit public entities that do not participate in the State Health Benefits Plan to offer health benefits to the domestic partners of employees:
“We are constantly working to make our domestic partnership law stronger and provide to same-sex couples with rights that are equal to those of married couples. We are still a long way away from having true equality, but each year we are striving to bridge the gap.
“It is critical that all families have the right and the ability to grieve the loss of a loved one. It can be a essential part of the healing process that should be denied to no committed couple.
“And while the bill to allow all public entities to provide health benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees leaves that decision up to the individual entity, I hope that they all take advantage of the law.”