It will also give companies that provide such health benefits an advantage in bidding for county work. The commission, however, pulled back from its original plans to force major contractors to provide health benefits to domestic partners if they provide them to employees' spouses. Opponents have already filed a lawsuit. Crackdown on Malaysian Unmarried Couples Muslim couples married in the Malaysian capital will be issued cards with computer chips so Islamic police can verify their vows. Islamic police often raid rooms suspected of sheltering an unwed pair.
Offenders can face up to two months in jail and a fine if convicted.
A minister in the prime minister's department said the cards, which will replace marriage certificates as of Feb. 1, would come in handy if a couple were mistakenly caught in a police raid. One woman said she feared the cards would push Malaysia toward the conservative brand of Islam practiced in the Gulf Arab countries and Iran, where dating is a social taboo. Not Allowed To Marry Pennsyvania Carbon County Prison inmate Edwin Mertz requested to get married, but weddings are not allowed in Lehigh County. Some attorneys believe Mertz s civil rights are being violated. Columbus, OH Repeals DP Benefits The Columbus City Council, which passed a domestic partner ordinance in December, this month repealed the measure in response to strong opposition.