(I just sent in a subscription to the "domestic" list, so this may get out to
the list before I'm on -- send your responses to me and I'll summarize to the
list -- Andy)

For the first time, Adobe Systems will be offering Domestic Partner benefits
to the same sex or opposite sex domestic partners of non-married employees.
The coverage is for Medical, Dental, and Vision care, and is equivalent in
most respects to the coverage offered the spouses of married employees (the
tax consequences may be different, but that's all).

I'm really glad that Adobe is doing this.  I'm proud to work for a company
that cares.  I've lobbied for it for over a year....

HOWEVER, Adobe is asking employees and their partners that wish to utilized
the DP benefits to sign a "Declaration of Domestic Partnership", have it
notarized, and file it with HR.

Here is the initial portion of that Declaration:

"A. Intent
Adobe recognizes the fact that many employees have established living
arrangements outside the traditional, legal institution of marriage.  It is
Adobe's intent to offer health coverage to these employees' life partners
and their eligible dependent children.

B. Declaration
We, (employee) and (domestic partner), declare that we are domestic partners
in accordance with the following criteria:

C. Eligibility
1. We have a committed relationship of mutual caring which has existed for at
least 12 months prior to the date of this Declaration.

2. We are both 18 or older and mentally competent to consent to contract.

3. Neither of us is married, our relationship is mutually exclusive, and this
will remain the case indefinitely.  We are not merely roommates, and we are
not related by blood to a degree of closeness that would prohibit legal
marriage in the state in which we legally reside.

4. We have maintained the same principal place of residence for at least 12
months immediately prior to the date of this Declaration and intend to do so
indefinitely. We are also responsible to each other for the direction and
financial management of our household and intend this to remain the case
indefinitely.  We are also financially responsible to third parties for each
other.

5. We have power of attorney for each other in the event of a medical
emergency.

6. At least twelve (12) months have elapsed since coverage was terminated on
a previously covered domestic partner, if any."


**************** Ok.  Here are some of my complaints with this:

I've never had to sign anything for Adobe before that had to be
notarized.

Adobe does NOT require that married employees file a copy of their marriage
certificate to cover their spouse.

Adobe does NOT require a "mutually exclusive" relationship for married
employees -- I assume that non-monogamous married employees (or
non-monogamous insured spouses) ARE covered.

Adobe does NOT require a 12 month waiting period between an employee's
legal divorce and the coverage of a new legal spouse.

C.4 is just badly worded -- the first time I read it I thought it meant I
couldn't change my place of residence.  What they mean is that we occupy
a "common principal place of residence for at least 12 months...".



--Andy Shore
  shore@mv.us.adobe.com