Washington State's legislature has approved new legislation that expands the rights of same-sex couples. It is expected to be signed by the governor.
The bill grants same-sex couples additional rights -- including the ability to share bank accounts, the right to hold common property and immunity from testifying against one's partner in court. Divorce rights -- including child-custody provisions -- were also granted.
Last year, the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed Washington's
first domestic partnership law, granting same-sex couples hospital
visitation rights, the right of inheritance in the absence of a will
and the right to make medical decisions if a partner was incapable of
making the decision for themselves, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
This year's measure increasing the number of partnership rights is part of a strategy to incrementally step toward, someday, granting full marriage rights to gay and lesbian and couples, the newspaper reported.
-- Jim Grinstead
Comments