Date: Wed, 1 Jun 94 09:22:11 PDT
From: czweig@eis.calstate.edu (Charles H. Zweig)

California's AB 2810 has been approved by the
Assembly. Excerpts from the L.A. Times article
follow.

ASSEMBLY APPROVES RIGHTS BILL FOR GAY, UNMARRIED COUPLES

(L.A.TIMES JUNE 1, 1994)

by: JERRY GILLIAM, Times Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO--Without a vote to spare, the
Assembly on Tuesday approved legislation allowing
gay and other unmarried couples toofficially register
their relationships with the state and share rights now 
enjoyed by married couples.
   A 41-26 Democrat-Republican vote, the exact margin 
needed for approval, sent the bill by Assemblyman 
Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to the Senate, where its fate
is uncertain.
   The measure would establish a legal framework for 
domestic partnerships, require hospitals to grant 
partner visitation rights and change state law relating
to wills and conservatorships.
   Couples registering with the secratary of state
would be older than 18, not related by blood, agree to
share joint living expenses, and not have been part of
another domestic relationship for six months.
   "This bill is critical to the half-million people
who live together in California and need to know they 
can rely on their partner in an emergency," Katz said,
noting tha the bill affects more than just gay couples.
"What it does is let people who care about each other
take care of each other in emergencies.  It relates to
hospital visits, conservatorships and willing property.
These are three basic rights that all people ought to
have."

(Excerpted from longer article.)