Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 13:50:42 -1000
From: lambda@aloha.net (Martin Rice)
Subject: SA 270:  Federal DP benefits bill

Aloha awakea kakou.





* * * * * * * * * * 

news release
from
Barney Frank

Congressman, 4th District, Massachusetts 
Washington Office:
2210 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5931
www.house.gov/frank

District Press Office:
29 Crafts Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02158
(617) 332-3920

October 27, 1997

PRESS ADVISORY
CONTACT: Peter Kovar 202-225-9400

PRESS CONFERENCE ON DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP LEGISLATION

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) will hold a press conference at 9:30 AM on
Wednesday, October 29 in Room 2220 of the Rayburn House Office Building to
announce the introduction of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and
Obligations Act of 1997, a bill to make domestic partnership benefits
available to federal employees.  The other sponsors
of the bill are Congresswomen Nita Lowey (D-MA), Elizabeth Furse (D-OR) and
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

Frank will be joined at the press conference by Lowey and Furse, along with
representatives from a number of organizations supporting the legislation,
including federal employee labor unions; gay, lesbian and bisexual rights
groups; religious and educational institutions; and private sector firms.

* * * * * * *

Following is a summary of the legislation:

Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 1997

*  Who's Eligible

* A Same or Opposite Sex Couple 

*  That is made up of a federal government employee and his/her domestic
partner. This does not apply to members of the armed forces.

*  Living together, in a committed, intimate relationship

*  Responsible for each other's welfare and financial obligations

* How to Apply: submission of affidavit of eligibility for benefits with OPM,
certifying that the employee and domestic partner meet necessary criteria, as
provided in the Act        

* Benefits Available to Domestic Partners of Government Employees

* Participation in Civil Service Retirement program, if applicable, similar
to spouses of government employees

* Participation in Federal Employees' Retirement program, if applicable,
similar to spouses

* Life insurance, similar to spouses

* Health insurance, similar to spouses

* Compensation for work injuries, similar to spouses

* Dissolution of Domestic Partnership

* Because of death of government employee: domestic partner deemed a spouse
for purposes of receiving benefits

* Break-up of the Relationship

* Termination of benefits received under the Act

* Except for continuation of health benefits for 60 days, where domestic
partner pays for benefits as under COBRA

* Upon dissolution, whether by death or break-up, employee or domestic
partner must file statement of dissolution of the domestic partnership within
30 days of termination    

* * * * * * *

PLEASE CALL OR WRITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND URGE HIM OR HER TO COSPONSOR
THIS LEGISLATION.  NOTHING HAS MORE IMPACT ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAN
WHEN MEMBERS HERE FROM THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.

 
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  "What a waste it is to lose one's mind.  Or not to have a 
  mind is being very wasteful.  How true that is."
                               -- Vice President Dan Quayle
                           ~~~~~~ 
                      Fred and Martin,
                strangers before all but 16.7%
                         of the law.
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