Click here to read the full text of the bill which formally legalized civil unions in Vermont. Allows two persons who live together, consider themselves to be members of each other's immediate family, agree to be jointly responsible for each other's basic living expenses, not married, not related by blood, and at least eighteen years of age to file a declaration of civil union with the director of heath. Extends same rights and obligations as spouses in a marriage relationship to civil union partners. Prohibits discrimination because of civil union partnership status. Repeals reciprocal beneficiary law.
Unmarried partners live together in the context of a committed family relationship.
However, they do not enjoy public and private sector rights and benefits that are comparable to those in comparable relationships. The legislature finds that unmarried partners comprise a significant percentage of households within this jurisdiction. The legislature further finds that as a matter of public policy, society should accord to such partners, rights and benefits that are comparable to those in comparable relationships. The purpose of this Act is to recognize the right of certain such people to identify the partners with whom they share their lives as members of each other's immediate family and to accord them such rights and benefits. It includes any other cost, such as medical care, if some or all of the cost is paid as a benefit to one or both partners because they have registered as civil union partners under this chapter.