Wednesday, July 3, 2002
Hanford city employee calls for domestic partner benefits
A story published today by the Sentinel News reports that a city employee has asked the Hanford City Council in Hanford, California to look into the possibility of offering domestic partner benefits to city employees.
City employee, Brenda Lemos, asked the council to take up the matter during its next meeting on July 16. Although, at this point, it remains uncertain whether enough interest exists on the council to formally discuss the issue.
She said domestic partnership benefits would not cost the city any more money, but would benefit employees who have domestic partners.
State employees already receive domestic partner coverage, according to Lemos.
She also addressed the issue of fairness.
"For example, a single man has a girlfriend who he cannot provide insurance, until they make the decision that they are going to be responsible for each others' well-being and basic living expenses and then decide to become married," according to Lemos. "Similarly, a single person with a partner cannot provide medical insurance coverage for that partner until they make the decision that they are going to be responsible for each others' basic living expenses and then they must file a declaration for domestic partnership with the state of California."
Vice Mayor Dan Chin said he had no comment on the domestic partner issue now, but said it's up to the board as to whether it will take up the issue.
Chin said he doesn't know whether there's any interest in the council, as a whole, in taking up the question.
The city's new health insurance carrier, the California Public Employees Retirement System, takes over on Aug. 1. It offers domestic partner benefits, but the city would have to request them.
