| States
Repeal of Anti-Cohabitation Statute and Sodomy laws
Louisiana
HB 2036
Author: Representative
Cedric Richmond
5437 Crowder Blvd. Ste. 2000
New Orleans, LA 70127
(504)242-4198
Purpose:
Would decriminalize sexual acts committed by and between consenting adults in private.
Under current Louisiana sodomy law, oral and anal sex are felonies regardless of whether
the participants are homosexuals or heterosexuals and even if they are married to each
other.
Actions taken:
introduced April 24, 2001; referred to Committee of Administrative Criminal Justice.
May 17, 2001, failed to pass by a vote of 47 to 45 in House.
Status: failed in House
Inheritance tax repeal bills
South Dakota
SB 116
Author: Senator Kermit L. Staggers
State Capitol
121
E. 7th St.
Pierre,
SD 57501
(605)
224-7564
Purpose:
Would repeal inheritance tax law. As amended in committee, the repeal would have
been effective on July 1, 2002. This would have the effect of removing marital
status discrimination from the law inasmuch as transfers between two single people would
be treated the same as transfers between spouses as far as exemption from inheritance tax
is concerned.
Last action: February 1, 2001
Status: defeated on Senate floor by a vote of 13
yes and 20 no
Maryland
HB 90
Author: Rep. Obie
Patterson
Lowe House Office Building, Room 205
84 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1991
(301) 858-3012, (410) 841-3012
Purpose:
Would repeal inheritance tax law effective July 1, 2001. This would have the effect
of removing marital status discrimination from the law inasmuch as transfers between two
single people would be treated the same as transfers between spouses as far as exemption
from inheritance tax is concerned. Under current law, transfers between spouses or
between lineal descendents are exempt from tax, while transfers from a single person to an
unmarried partner or friend or non-lineal relative is taxed at 10 percent.
Actions taken:
hearing held on February 6, 2001
bill withdrawn on March 23, 2001
Status: bill withdrawn
Nebraska
LB
266
Author: Rep. Thomas Baker
Room 1528, State Capitol,
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2805
Purpose: Would
repeal inheritance tax law. The repeal would become effective on the same date that
the federal estate tax is repealed (if that happens). This would have the effect of
removing marital status discrimination from the law inasmuch as transfers between two
single people would be treated the same as transfers between spouses as far as exemption
from inheritance tax is concerned.
Actions taken:
hearing on February 28, 2001
postponed indefinitely on March 12, 2001
Status: pending in Revenue Committee
Legalization of marital status
discrimination by auto insurance companies
Montana
SB
27
Author: Senator
Ric Holden
P.O. Box 201706
Helena, MT 59620-1706
(406) 444-3064
Purpose:
Would allow auto insurance companies to use marital status in setting rates, a practice
currently prohibited by state law. This would permit companies to give discounts to
married drivers simply on the basis of their marital status while denying the same
discounts to single and unmarried drivers.
Actions taken:
passed Senate on a vote of 26 to 42 on January 31, 2001
died in standing Committee on April 26, 2001
Status: failed in House Committee on Business
and Labor on April 26, 2001
Strengthening laws against
discrimination in employee benefits compensation
Florida
SB
154
Author: Senator
M. Mandy Dawson
Senate Office Building, Room 224
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5112
Purpose:
Would clarify that existing law prohibits discrimination in employee compensation,
including employee benefits, on the basis of marital status, race, color, religion, sex,
age, handicap, or national origin. This would have the effect of requiring employers
to give equal benefits compensation to an employee who has an unmarried partner as the
employer gives to an employee with a spouse. Because of federal preemption, this
bill would not apply to the health and pension plans of most private employers, but would
apply to health and pension plans of local government employers and to other types of
benefits provided by private employers.
Last action: referred to four senate committees
on January 11, 2001; pending in Commerce and Economic Opportunities; Judiciary;
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government; Appropriations
Status: died in Committee in Commerce and
Economic Opportunities on May 4, 2001
Prohibiting health insurance companies
from terminating coverage for unmarried dependents prior to the age of 26
New Mexico
SB 413
Author: Senator
John Arthur Smith
State Capitol
Attn: Mail Room Dept.
Santa Fe, NM 87503
(505) 986-4862
John.Smith@state.nm.us
Purpose:
Would prohibit health care coverage, offered under the Health Care Purchasing Act, that
offers coverage of an unmarried dependent person, from terminating such coverage until the
person reaches the age of 26. Many providers drop dependent coverage when the
dependent reaches 18.
Actions taken:
passed Senate on 34-0 vote on February 27, 2001
passed House on 55-4 vote on March 6, 2001
vetoed by Governor on April 5, 2001
Status: failed
Legislation that failed to
pass in 2001 -- more -- page two |
