This article is an excellent resource from Nancy L. Ober from the Littler Law Firm [via Nelson HR].
Despite a November voter referendum in Maine that overturned the state’s same-sex marriage law and a very recent rejection of same-sex marriage by the New York State Senate, the year 2009 saw progress for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships…”
Ms. Ober’s article goes on to list the various changes in State Law across the US, including New York, California, Maine, Vermont and Washington State. It’s a short read, but incredibly fascinating and chock full of very interesting stuff.
This seems like a political post but I believe that this subject is very much related to HR. We, as HR Professionals need to stay on top of changing domestic partnership/marriage laws so that we know how to handle things like benefits, LOA’s, etc. Nothing is worse than getting hit in the face with a lawsuit because we were unaware of something happening in the outside world.
Okay, I’m off the soapbox now. Sometimes passion gets the best of me.