Senate Enacts Family Medical Leave Act Bill
June 5, 2007
AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate, today, enacted a bill that would include domestic partners as part of Maine’s Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The bill now goes to Governor John Baldacci for final consideration.
Senator Dennis Damon, D-Hancock County, the bill’s sponsor said, “This is a fairness issue. It is not about special rights or privileges. It is about families, and being there when a loved one needs you.”
“I sponsored this bill because I believe it is only common sense that hard-working Maine people should be able to care for their families and loved ones in times of need without jeopardizing their jobs,” added Senator Damon.
Maine’s Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in 1993. It allows an employee to take up to twelve workweeks of unpaid leave during any twelve-month period to be with their family following the birth or adoption of a child, or when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition, or to care for an immediate family member facing a serious illness. Under FMLA, your job remains secure during the twelve week period and your health insurance benefits remain intact.
State insurance laws already define the term “domestic partner” in very specific terms. This definition would follow that law. A domestic partner means the partner of an employee who: is a mentally competent adult as is the employee; has been legally domiciled with the employee for at least 12 months; is not legally married to or legally separated from another individual; is the sole partner of the employee and expects to remain so; and is jointly responsible with the employee for each other's common welfare as evidenced by joint living arrangements, joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property.
|
