The couple may also end the domestic partnership by filing a notice of termination with the Secretary of State. A single partner may terminate the domestic partnership by sending a written notice to the other partner by certified mail. One of the partners must inform the Secretary of State's office of the termination. Domestic partnership provides legal and societal affirmation of the value of lesbian and gay relationships. Currently, the new domestic partnership law guarantees hospital visitation rights to registered couples and extends employee health benefits for certain public sector employees whose coverage is governed under state law.
Additional benefits are likely to accrue to registered domestic partners in the future.
Private employers may also use state registration as a basis for extending benefits, and under the statute, local governments may enact additional rights and duties related to domestic partnerships. Registered domestic partners are guaranteed the right to visit their partners in the hospital. No durable power of attorney for health care or any other documentation is required. If any other family member of a hospitalized domestic partner objects to the other partner's visiting privileges, the hospital or health facility is nevertheless legally obligated to provide access to the hospitalized partner. Only if visitation is generally curtailed for a bona fide purpose, such as the hospitalized partner's health, may a facility deny visitation.